Edhat Staff
By edhat staff
Santa Barbara County firefighters are responding to an injured paraglider near Gibraltar Rock on Friday afternoon.
At 1:25 p.m., the paraglider victim himself called emergency dispatch on his cell phone to report his location and an injury to his back.
County firefighters, a helicopter with county paramedics, a Santa Barbara City firetruck, and ground ambulance responded to the scene on Gibraltar Road.
Crews are currently making access to the patient and plan to use a hoist with the helicopter where the patient will be transported to the hospital.
This is a developing story.
Je-zeus! Another helicopter/multi-vehicle response we pay for going out to “rescue”? This is expensive. Here’s my advice for those who wanna charge it: first, know what you’re doing out there, be prepared on your own to deal with critical situations, then have a group of your friends you can call (he/shehad a cell phone) to help you out if/when you eat it. They should be the people to help you out unless there’s no other option.
wow..such compassion not! this person might have a broken back!!!!
That’s gonna cost him a pretty penny
So many unkind people posting…. I hope that he is ok! A dangerous hobby I would never engage in but I still wouldn’t wish that he have a broken back.
Oookay Mr. Armchair Quarterback, thank goodness we have you here to set us straight *eye roll*
It’s a County copter so it won’t cost anything ’til Cottage trauma takes over.
Isn’t the LPNF closed…seems to me a big fine should be issued… including the cost of rescue
How do county operations “not cost anything”?
I’m sure you’re aware costs are relative. And you’re right it does cost something. But as you know these costs are already spent. The helicopter exists, the employees are paid regardless, etc. Sunk costs. There are additional cost on gas, wear, etc., but most is offset because they’d never just leave the equipment to rust and employees watching TV and training is necessary. However, it would never make sense to abuse the system, order more helicopters and hire more people because of need.
I just think personal responsibility has been lost on many, that’s all. And no one’s wishing hurt here okay. “Money already spent” argument doesn’t fly at all, that would be an endless black hole. Resources get allocated based on need and the more people having to get rescued this year means more budgeting for that stuff next fiscal year. Gotta think a little but that’s kinda how these things work isn’t it? Get enough rescues happening and they’ll allocate the cash for another crew, another ‘copter, overtime, whatever…point is everything costs money, that’s all. I don’t mean to be an a$$, I just believe it’s way too easy for people to get bailed out in general these days.
While you’re at it, why is it that if your car breaks down, you have to pay for towing, but if your boat breaks down, the Coast Guard tows you? It’s obviously all about white privilege.