RFDS response to the cyclone
With much of Queensland still dealing with the floods, mother nature showed her forces yet again. Here’s how we responded to one of our biggest tests yet:
- The first call on the RFDS was to assist with the evacuation of Cairns hospitals. While the need to evacuate a total of 350 patients necessitated the involvement of the Australian Defence Force, the RFDS was required to move the most critically ill patients, including nine neonatal cases.. This all had to be carried out within a 24 hour period due to the expected and eventual closure of the Cairns Airport. We evacuated the last four of the neonatal patients on a single flight on the morning before the Cyclone crossed land.
- We faced the prospect of not being able to operate out of multiple bases during and after Cyclone Yasi. In the days prior to the cyclone reaching the coast, RFDS relocated aircraft from Townsville, Cairns and Rockhampton to Mt Isa. This optimised our position to respond, post-cyclone, to calls from within the affected area. As the cyclone continued with force inland, all Mt Isa aircraft were then relocated to Charleville and began redeployment as soon as the weather settled. The logistical challenge involved in achieving this was significant as we had limited staff available and we were also focusing on ensuring aircraft and crews were in place for a quick return to normal - or possibly increased - levels of service.
Pictured: Radar image of Tropical Cyclone Yasi approaching North Queensland.
- Bases were closed prior to Yasi’s landfall to non-essential staff in Cairns – the largest base in Australia with more than 120 employees and 5 aircraft – along with more than 20 employees in Townsville. Power outages and airport closures briefly delayed bases from fully reopening , but this did not stop our people getting into action:
- As early as the next day, our doctors reported to emergency departments and hospitals that had been affected by the cyclone to help with the increased demand.
- As access to smaller communities became available, we sent multi-disciplined teams including doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals to work from Community Recovery Centres.
- Aeromedical teams were in the air within days.
- While the RFDS resumed a full roster of clinics the following week, we still had up to 13 people at a time providing much-needed support in areas around Tully Heads, Cardwell, Mission Beach, Innisfail and Babinda, as well as Cairns.