A senior member of the Tayside Police Search and Rescue Team has welcomed the announcement that a new fleet of helicopters will soon provide air rescue support across Scotland.
Team leader Detective Sergeant Colin MacDougall said helicopters are a critical tool in ensuring the survival of those who become injured in remote and rural parts of the region.
Senior Scottish and UK politicians have called for assurances that services will not be hit following the announcement that air rescue support will cease to be carried out by military helicopters.
The Ministry of Defence’s fleet of Navy and RAF Sea King helicopters will be retired by March 2016, with search and rescue services instead be provided by civilian crews.
A contract for the work is expected to be awarded by 2013, with the winning bidder expected to operate from 10 locations, providing the same level of services as a present.
Under existing arrangements, search and rescue is provided by the MoD from eight military bases, with a further four civilian bases operated under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
DS MacDougall believes the changes could be positive, with the Tayside Police Search and Rescue Team looking forward to the support of new helicopters.
”We look to provide the best service for our community in Tayside,” he said. ”Air rescue provides an important asset and in many cases has proven critical to the survival of those injured, particularly in remote parts of the Tayside area.
”The police and civilian volunteers within Tayside Mountain Rescue have a close working relationship with air rescue as we deal with many incidents where their use is beneficial.
”In the past year this has included persons working in remote areas, climbers, those injured during gorge decents and searching for missing persons. Any upgrading of the present fleet of helicopters is welcome and we look forward to continuing our close working partnership with air rescue.”
A Navy Sea King helicopter was pressed into action in Tayside as recently as Sunday, when a 14-year-old from England was winched to safety after getting into difficulties on the River Tay.
The youngster had been canoeing on the Campsie Linn rapids when her craft overturned, bringing emergency services rushing to the scene.
Transport Secretary Justine Greening said she is confident the new arrangements will prove successful and ensure a high standard rescue service.
”The Royal Navy and the RAF crews have shown great dedication and professionalism in delivering an exemplary search and rescue service for many years and we owe them great thanks for this.
”We are confident that, building on nearly 30 years of civilian service provided under contract to the MCA, a fully-civilian service will be able to maintain the same standards.”