Any threat to the future of the Waterford based Rescue 117 service cannot be countenanced, Wexford Independent TD, Verona Murphy, and Co Wexford’s Ambulance Officer Ger Carthy have said.
eputy Murphy expressed her grave concern over the new air rescue service tender details from the Department of Transport which is for three helicopter bases nationally. This is one less than the four bases presently in operation. There is general concern now from Deputy Murphy and her fellow South East Independent TDs of the Regional Group about the future of the Waterford based Rescue 117 service.
The recent decision from the Department of Transport not to continue funding to Waterford Regional airport rings alarm bells for the deputies as to where downgrades and service loss may occur.
In August of this year Deputy Murphy joined fellow Independent Deputies Matt Shanahan (Waterford) and Michael Lowry (Tipperary) on a visit to Waterford airport and the Rescue Service 117 base there to show support for the continuing development of these facilities within the south east region.
Speaking at the time back in August, Deputy Murphy said “that no diminishment of the present service offering could be acceptable as part of a new service configuration”.
Reiterating this message this week, the Independent TD said: “The air rescue service has been operational out of Waterford for over 20 years, serving the people of the south east, attending and assisting in the most horrendous of sea rescue and searches. In addition to serving the region, the shipping lanes from Rosslare Europort have never been more important or busy as they are presently.
The port has some of the largest freight and passenger ferry activity in the country and the range, speed and capacity of the Sikorsky S 92 in an emergency at sea is invaluable to the south east region.”
The helicopter was used in a a search of the River Barrow at O’Hanrahan Bridge in New Ross as recently as Tuesday night and has been involved in numerous search operations off the coast over recent years, including winching casualties to safety.
Deputy Murphy said “The south east has been the poor relative of government funding for decades in regards to hospital services, third level university education and sea port development. The people of the south east deserve more. I, along with my fellow South East Independent TDs will be impressing on Government heads and relevant departments the absolute need to ensure the air rescue service base at Waterford remains and continues to provide vital services to the people of the region”.
Cllr Carthy said he was on the helicopter with a Covid patient – flying to Cork – as recently as last week, adding that the loss of the service out of Waterford would have a detrimental effect on the ability to transfer patients to larger hospitals from Wexford General. He said relocating the service to Cork will put lives at risk.
