University of Michigan's Survival Flight jet ready to fly to Haiti to pick up injured 4-year-old girl
The University of Michigan Survival Flight jet is expected to fly to Haiti to drop off supplies and pick up a 4-year-old girl on Wednesday. Courtesy | University of Michigan
The University of Michigan received word its jet will be needed this week for rescue and aid efforts in Haiti following last week's devastating earthquake.
The jet is planned to be used on Wednesday to pick up a 4-year-old in Haiti who is suffering from an injury as a result of the earthquake, said U-M spokesman Bruce Spiher.
U-M also plans to load the jet with medical supplies to take down to aid in medical efforts in Haiti.
Last week, U-M said one of its aircraft was on standby and was considered a preferred provider by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, for offering help related to aid efforts in Haiti.
Officials say they expect the girl will be flown back to U-M to be treated for her injuries, rather than being brought to a closer hospital in Florida where many of the wounded are being treated.
Additional details about her and her family were not available. And U-M officials say those plans are tentative and could change before Wednesday.
There is no word yet on whether the plane could be used for other missions, Spiher said.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.
Comments
talker
Wed, Jan 20, 2010 : 12:50 a.m.
Helping is good. However, I just thought of a possible problem. Survival flight usually makes shorter flights and returns to Michigan rapidly. When the plane and one flight and medical crew so far away and probably gone for more than a day or two, Survival Flight won't be available if needed for it's intended purpose. It would be interesting to hear what treatment the patient needs that can't be done a lot closer to Haiti, such as in Florida or if the patient has Michigan ties. Is there a back-up plane and a back-up jet (from the leasing company or from another hospital) that can be used in emergency situations while a plane and crew go a greater distance than usual?
Ethics Advocate
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
I think this is a very poor decision, and can only be viewed as UM trying to improve/support its image. To spend so much money on just one of thousands of injured children rather than using the money in a way that would benefit many children is disappointing to me, especially as a UM professor and donor.
M.
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 8:52 a.m.
"The question everyone has is whether this is truly the best use of monies or if more efficient alternatives exist, which is a rightful question considering it is our money that is being spent." I thought the article made clear that this jet is unique and was specifically requested by FEMA. The arrogant, snooty, selfish remarks still astound me. Our money isn't even actually worth anything, yet a lot of people seem to be putting more value on it than human lives. It really makes me sick to see the nonexistance of humanity in far too many people.
AAJoker
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.
Atticus F., You might want to better educate yourself, UM is tax exempt due to it's education status... even though they operate many businesses and own considerable property under this envelope that should rightfully be taxed (and thus also drive some business away from Ann Arbor because they can't compete with the costs). The question everyone has is whether this is truly the best use of monies or if more efficient alternatives exist, which is a rightful question considering it is our money that is being spent.
Charles Wright
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 2:54 a.m.
Florida is indeed closer to Haiti, either way, it would be a long flight for her.
Commoncents
Tue, Jan 19, 2010 : 12:27 a.m.
loki: You are right, we absolutely are fortunate to live in a free nation with a great healthcare system that promotes innovation (note: current). I would argue that we don't have the money right now to give to others. My argument is based on the federal deficit. I'm all for private donations, but what evidence do you have to say that the USA can afford it? I'd actually like to hear your reply for this...
loki
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 11:51 p.m.
aren't we fortunate to live in a community with access to world-class medical care. it may sound cliche, but would we truly be "the leaders and the best" if we only cared for the privileged few, while others were left to suffer? -as a side note. the Survival Flight jet was retrofitted for medical transportation. it can only accommodate a single patient, the flight and medical teams, and often times one of the parents.
Commoncents
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 11:39 p.m.
interested & tdw: If you think we need to pay over a million dollars to save a foreigner/Haitian, then you should pay for it and that would be a great and amazing gesture. Why force everyone to pay for it by using general funds from taxes, or worse... taking more loans from the Chinese (who didn't loan as much as Hollywood). Nothing wrong w/ being compasionate, it's a great gesture. Where is the money coming from???
Commoncents
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 11:34 p.m.
If you were 11trillion dollars in debt and you heard about a good cause a few countries away, would you take out another 100million dollar loan?. Don't mean to sound like a scrooge, but where is all of this money coming from? Why is it the USA's job to come to the rescue of every disaster? Let's exersize some common sense...
tdw
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 8:33 p.m.
@interested maybe its cause she does'nt pay taxes.Appearently its better to blow money on things that no one wants as opposed of actually using it on helping someone.I don't like waste or taxes more than anyone else, but come on people its a four year old kid for crying out loud
interested
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 8:15 p.m.
After reading this article, I decided to read the comments,hoping that for once, there would not be any people complaining of this. False hope! The negativity I find relating to any story about people helping other people and animals on annarbor.com is ridiculously immense. Sure, we are unaware of why they chose this girl, however why does it really matter? They are working to save a child who has been traumatized beyond anything most of us have ever experienced! With all of our resources in our community, why can't we help her? Why do so many people in this community have a problem with this or any other compassionate gesture people in our neighborhoods make? I hope the resources on this plane are useful not only for this girl but others who have had their lives turned upside down in a matter of 15 seconds on a Tuesday afternoon. Good luck to the medical team!
eCoaster
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 6:06 p.m.
@Atticus F: Just want to point out that all educational institutions qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law. It has nothing to do with any special relationship U-M has with the City.
M.
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
It's really disturbing to see all of the people on this thread who seem to be trying REALLY hard to poke holes in this effort. Yes the Red Cross asked people to donate money for the effort because they didn't know how to safely get supplies to Haiti...and U of M sending a jet filled with supplies doesn't make you feel BETTER at all about the situation?? How dare you compare the U.S. or Haiti in this situation to Communist China. Your comparison makes no sense in the context. @krc - It would definitely make sense to make use out of the full space in the jet to evacuate more people, but I'm sure there's some good reasons they couldn't. Also, I don't know how anyone could tell which children were in what stages of paperwork to be adopted if the documentation was destroyed.
Atticus F.
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 5:22 p.m.
queenmom, it's my understanding that the UofM is Exempt fropm taxes because of all of the revenue that they brimg to the city. If you dont like subsidizing the UofM with your tax dollars, then maybe Ann Arbor isn't the right place to buy a home. I believe their tax exempt status has been in effect for some time.
scole
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 5:17 p.m.
That's right, it might cost something. And somebody, maybe several people, maybe even many of us through health costs will have to pay for this. Please let's let this airplane and it's equipment and trained staff just sit there. We'd hate to use our precious resources to accomplish something incredible. We could change someone's life, but let's just let the jet collect dust for fear of costing someone something. Thank you U of M for providing a service that can do once impossible things!
queenmom
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 2:52 p.m.
While I have absolutely no problem with this flight or its mission, I would like to point out that we all have "made a donation to U of M" with our tax dollars!
Atticus F.
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 2:36 p.m.
To all of the people complaining about the cost, and where the money is coming from... If you have not made a donation to the UofM, you have no room to complain.
Cash
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 2:20 p.m.
Also, if the child's little back is broken (God forbid) imagine the pain involved in any travel. I'm sure they are looking at the smoothest possible transport, which may also be why the child will be treated here. Moving her again could be extremely painful.
Cash
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 2:15 p.m.
Honestly people...if that ONE child was YOUR child, would the flight be worth it? I do believe they are trying to transport most of the severely injured closer to Haiti to save time...these children have little time to waste. Also cost-wise, it's best for close proximity because these children will then have to return at some time. I would assume this child has a need specific to a special treatment or surgery to be performed by UM hospital. I am sure their are docs in Haiti now who are both from Michigan and have been educated here...and know the specialties. Thank God for the people who put others before their own selfish interests.
Mike D.
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
It would be interesting to know who gets to makes the call about pressing that plane into service and who pays for it. The cost to make this run would be in the low-six-figure range, once you count fuel, staff, maintenance, and fees. Does U of M absorb that? Pentastar? FEMA? It isn't really clear from the story. Whoever is footing the bill, bravo. Every life counts.
RTFM
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
Does the jet run on biofuel? If not, does the University of Michigan purchase CO2 credits to off-set the toxic CO2 that is created for transporting 1 patients?
djm12652
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:57 p.m.
Doesn't the article say it's a "survival flight jet"? It's intended purpose is to transport patients.
Dot
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:49 p.m.
Is there additional information as to a possible UM connection to this child or why just this one child is being brought back to UM?
Tina Reed
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:47 p.m.
AAJoker: University of Michigan Health System has offered details on the difference between this kind of plane and a cargo plane - which is largely the medical equipment and medical expertise on board. (Check out http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22250491/index.html which describes this air ambulance). That is why, they've said, they were chosen as a preferred provider of this kind of transport by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and were asked to transport this particular patient.
Tina Reed
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:42 p.m.
Top Cat: U-M does not actually own the jet, but leases the jet which is managed by the company Pentastar Aviation, Inc. It does have its own trained medical crew that travels with the jet for emergency patient transportation, as well as the transportation of donated organs over long distances. krc: U-M said it was on standby and they were asked to transport this particular patient and could be asked to run similar missions. But they were not able to offer too many details about why this particular girl is planned to be transported by U-M's jet.
AAJoker
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:37 p.m.
Sounds warm and fuzzy on the surface, but it is truly a misguided waste of funds for only one person! Give this money to someone that is closer with a cargo plane and make a real difference!
Kayjay
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:23 p.m.
Godspeed!
Top Cat
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:21 p.m.
I'm glad to see the jet being put to such good use. However, why does the University of Michigan own a jet?
krc
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
And why only one child? Couldn't "they" forego the paperwork at this time and bring back more? For instance the orphans that were already adopted and just waiting for the paperwork, which is now under piles of rubble, to be finalized?
Tina Reed
Mon, Jan 18, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.
If you want to see more about what's inside this plane, WDIV Channel 4 posted a good video on this: http://www.clickondetroit.com/video/22250491/index.html