Roger
Update by Montecito Fire Department
February 18, 2019
This morning Montecito firefighters responded to the Romero Canyon trail for an injured runner. Due to the poor trail conditions, the decision was made to hoist the patient into Santa Barbara Fire helicopter 308 for transport to the hospital.
Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue also hiked up to the patient with our personnel to help with packaging and transporting the patient back down the hill, if necessary. Another safe and efficient rescue coordinated between the three agencies. Be careful when out on the trails, at this time of year the conditions change almost daily.
Reported by Roger the Scanner Guy
11:45 a.m., February 18, 2019
Injured hiker on the Romero Canyon Trailhead, one and a half miles back.
@ANDREWBAKER77-
IF the runner had no insurance, the Ambulance Company, (AMR) charges approximately $2500 Min. to transport a patient. The ER will bill for at least $3000, assuming there were x-rays taken… Both “companies” will attempt to collect IF the runner has a “legal” job (vs an illegal- paid under the table job). If the runner is a legal resident of the State of California, those two companies will do everything they can to collect, even refer the billing to a collection company and garnish wages… IF the “runner” or any “patient” is an illegal alien, NO attempt to bill or go after ANY payment will take place. They will pursue a minimum payment from THE COUNTY / TAXPAYERS. That being said, THAT is the reason many are in favor of “The Wall”… It has nothing to do with race, or a closed border- It has to do with the FACT that California simply can not AFFORD to pay for all the entitlements that are provided by taxpayer funds…
Another “safe and efficient” ………. but very costly rescue. Tay payers should not be asked to subsidize other people’s recreational activities.
They will run on the “broken” trails. They will pay the price for being foolish. I know a guy who ran trails for years. He’s not even 70 years of age and now he can barely walk. Such impact-engendering athleticism has its price. And . . . not just the price of a rescue.
Maybe you should read the post before going into your tirades. This was SB Co. Fire copter 308…. no charge, thank you.
308 usually lands where there is an ambulance waiting for transport … In the North County, all airlifts are with CAL$TAR …
Wow – hope the runner was okay.
Gee – What a bunch of judgy people! Hopefully when you have a heart attack from just sitting in your armchair criticizing others, you will have insurance so the comments board won’t have anything to worry about.
I hope they have insurance too, so my taxpayer dollars aren’t paying for their triple bypass from their foolish lifestyle decisions – to have their recreational activities be watching Netlix and eating pizza.