Thursday, March 8, 2012

** Alaska air ambulance slides off icy runway

** Discussions to resolve Moose Jaw EMS strike action continue

UNITED STATES NEWS

** An Anchorage, Alaska air ambulance crew got a start Monday after icy conditions led their aircraft to slide off the runway. The News Tribune (Michelle Theriault Boots/March 7) said the LifeMed Learjet, which sustained only minor damage in the incident, was returning from a Kenai patient pick-up at the time. According to the newspaper, the icing on the wings occurred as the plane closed on Ted Stevens International Airport around 10 p.m. during a committed approach. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator Clint Johnson said the Lear’s anti-icing system proved ineffective for the conditions which also reduced visibility. Touching down a third of the way down the runway, the aircraft then veered right and hit a snow bank. Two paramedics, two pilots, a flight nurse and patient were onboard. No one was injured.

CANADA NEWS

** Reps for striking medics in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan are expected to meet with their employer today in an effort to stave off further protests. The Moose Jaw Times-Herald (Adam Miller/March 6) quoted SEIU-West Union lead negotiator Kerry Barrett as saying current discussions were proving difficult and unfruitful. According to the newspaper, last weekend’s EMS cover included only emergency call response while the union dickered over a conditional offer to return to the negotiations table. Moose Jaw and District EMS CEO Kyle Sereda, meanwhile, said he is anxious to restart discussions as he does not want to see industrial action escalate.