Saudi Red Crescent Authority

[WTEngel]

yes the FAQ was updated a couple weeks ago and has a lot of good info. Including the information that only 3 U.S. paramedics where there as of 2 weeks ago. could whoever has the email that was sent pm me and ill give you my email addy. If you don't mind forwarding it that is.

Regards!

I spoke with contact of mine a few months back (he is a recruitment manager for CHS, a private staffer for hospitals in Saudi, EMS in Kuwait, Afghanistan, etc.) and he told me about the 3 westerners situation. Judging from the amount of views and replies to this thread, I would say it is clear that they are trying to change that. I count 4 westerners so far who are in the process?

 

[ExpatMedic0]

I was suppose to go to Kuwait with CHS but the security clearance got my friend and I tied up in months of red tape and problems.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Oh by the way I also emailed the German on flicker who appears to work for SRCA. Ill let yall know if he gets back to me

 

[WTEngel]

Oh by the way I also emailed the German on flicker who appears to work for SRCA. Ill let yall know if he gets back to me

I don't believe he works there anymore. He uploaded a picture of himself drinking some smuggled alcohol in compound (absolutely stupid stupid idea!!) and then replied that he was already out of country, so he didn't care if they knew. I had also e mailed him, and I have not received a reply.

The security clearance was one of the reasons I didn't even apply with CHS. I knw I could get the clearance, I didn't want to be caught up in all of that bureaucracy. Also, the idea of running EMS on a military base didn't excite me. Most of the guys doing that haven't been too impressed with it...

 

[NJmedic3250]

As far as the conditional flight position is concerned, I know for a fact that they have purchased new helicopters and entered into a long term contract for the purchase of 28 helicopters over the next 5 years. You can do some research on google and actually find the news articles from Saudi Arabia discussing this subject. Also, I have spoken with a pilot who has been working with the recruitment company that is securing the pilots for this position (Action Aviation.)

Now, the purpose for making the flight position conditional is two fold. First, I currently work for a flight service, and getting the opportunity to evaluate people's skills and abilities before putting them on a helicopter is imperative. I would not want to work on a bird with someone before I got to know them clinically. There is a lot of trust and team work that goes in to aeromedical calls, because the risk is greater and the patient's are more critical than ground transports. The second reason probably has to do with the fact that we all know someone can look great on paper, and then when you see them in person, you realize there resume may have a lot of credentials, but no real substance. Anyone who has worked in EMS long enough to qualify for a flight position has worked with the "book smart" paramedic who doesn't have common sense to save his/her own life. The conditional flight position is the safest way to do it, and frankly, I wouldn't go any other way.

Dr. Nakity is a recruiter, and the situation on the ground is fluid. Combine that with a slight language barrier, and I can understand why it is hard for him to confidently answer questions. Also, he doesn't live in the compound, he wouldn't know what it is like. The compound is brand new. We will be the first to live there.

I encourage everyone to visit www.emssaudiarabia.com and check the FAQ page. It has been updated in the last two weeks with some great information.

Good info. I understand why making the flight position conditional makes sense. My concern was that was going to end up being the first example of a series of empty promises when I hit the ground there. I just don't want to be the guy that believes everything I hear and then be unpleasantly surprised with my choice to take the position. However, I will say this. Hearing the enthusiasm coming from everyone in the application process is putting my mind at ease about the whole thing. Hope to meet and work with everyone in the future.

 

[WTEngel]

The SRCA has been dealing with expats (mostly European and South African) for many years now. I have done quite a bit of searching online and spoken with a few friends who are familiar with international contracting, and while they have heard of SRCA, they haven't heard anything negative. That is not to say that they have heard anything overtly positive, but in the small world of international contracting, generally you can always find someone to say something negative about a contractor.

The only thing negative I have heard, and it has been on this forum from someone who has not worked for the SRCA, was that they have changed contracts on a few of their expats. When I prodded the poster for more information, such as whether they changed, salary, living, duration, etc. I did not get a response.

My feeling on changing contracts is that it could possibly be a result of the expat either not having the certifications or qualifications they stated when they were made the offer, or they were not able to PROVE that they possessed the qualifications they stated they had. My advice, make sure you have originals of EVERy certification and qualification that you claimed to have in your resume, application, and any other interaction you have had with SRCA. This way everyone is on the same page. If you are unable to produce an original copy of a certification, you might fall into the category of people who have had their contracts changed.

This is all just speculation on my part. You have to remember, the Saudis have a LOT of money, but they don't just throw it away paying foreign contractors. If you aren't able to prove what you claimed you had during the "interview" and pre hiring process, then they will turn around and make the deal that is most financially advantageous to them. The same would happen if the shoe were on the other foot and it was an American contractor. Believe me, these foreign contractors are all about the bottom line.

 

[ExpatMedic0]

Sounds like the SCRA's U.S. employees maybe staffed almost exclusively from the EMT LIFE forums, ;-)

 

[WTEngel]

So has anybody actually sent their documents to Rendezvous Travel yet? I am mailing mine off today. She is saying it will take 3 to 4 weeks for the documents to process and the work visa to be approved.

 

[falcon-18]

hello, everybody I am sorry I want answer all of your Q... but I was very busy first in 18 november I did accident by ambulance ,then in 25 november the flood in my city so we had (code red). but Now I am free , and I can answer some of it . I was saw some post in these days but I did not answer because really I was very busy . anyway I will answer of it in the next few days. thanks everybody.

I will but some pic for ambulance and flood soon.

 

[WTEngel]

Omar,

Have you seen the new helicopters yet? Any chance you could post some pics of them? I am very eager to see what they look like!

Glad to see that you that you made it through the flooding alright. be safe!

Travis

 

[falcon-18]

Omar,

Have you seen the new helicopters yet? Any chance you could post some pics of them? I am very eager to see what they look like!

Glad to see that you that you made it through the flooding alright. be safe!

Travis

Travis

hello, how are you?
This hypothesis by the Saudi Red Crescent Society in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia. On Monday. I apologize for the lack of images of the aircraft because I am in the city far from the capital Riyadh, but will try. Give me a few days. I will try but not promise.

http://www.alyaum.com/issue/article.php?IN=13325&I=721390&G=3
omar

 

[WTEngel]

So are they already flying missions with the helicopters? I did not think they had started yet.

How long have the helicopters been operational?

 

[2easy4u]

SRCA job offer

Falcon 18 & WTengle
I received a preliminary job offer today. I have looked it over and discussed it with my wife and family. I replied to the e-mail with acceptance conditional on a job description. I asked s few questions in my reply about CRM, PELA sites and the 51% rule. I am somewhat excited about this whole thing, but I don't have enough info to be able to voice an opinion. I have read all of the posts on this thread and learned a little more but still lacking in what I need to hear. The offer was one sheet with job title and a list of pay and benefits. I really need more than that for a supervisory position. I have not received a packet,and I am hoping there will be more information in it to discern. Can one of you guys PM me about the info in your packet? Yes I am an American flight paramedic. I heard about the job from one of the pilots that I work with.
Thanks
2easy4u

 

[McLenin]

I asked s few questions in my reply about CRM, PELA sites and the 51% rule.

 

[McLenin]

what is this rule? What do you mean by CRM,PELA 51%?

My wife wants to go with me, but doesn't want to be home all day she rather work. What I understood is that your wife stays only as a visitor, because she doesnt have the work visa. Does anyone has more info? People that bring family with them, what do you think?

I really want to see our compounds( APARTMENTS) pictures, or at least the equipment that I will have to use.

I dont want to rush the whole process, I will take my time, I think we have like 3 month to get staff together. This medical form we have, the physical and the lab work is done by the same doctor?

and I will take couple weeks vacation before I go)))))))))

 

[2easy4u]

CRM,PELA,51% Rule

CRM Crew resource management. This is when the pilots utilize all crew members especially on take off and landing.
PELA site is a pre-existing landing area or designated LZ landing Zone.
51%rule is when any crew member feels unsafe about the mission can call 51% and we go back to base and debrief on the ground.
All of these things are a safety standards to minimize the possibility of crews getting into trouble during a flight.
It is so much better to be on the ground wishing you could fly than to be in the air wishing you were on the ground. I know that for certain.
I hope this helps. My wife is not going.

 

[WTEngel]

I believe he is speaking of Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Proficiency in English Language for Air Traffic Controllers (PELA).

CRM is basically a communication and action style meant to improve safety before, during and after flight. PELA is a standard for air traffic controllers that goes over phonetics, pronunciation, and also understanding of english. There is a test associated with this standard that tests the air traffic controllers ability to communicate and understand pilots speaking english.

I would be surprised if the recruiter knows that much about the detailed operations of the flight program. I have spoken with a pilot in the recruitment process for SRCA, and he said they are pretty much following FAR 135 and not trying to re invent the wheel.

When you are say 51% rule, are you talking about for experimental aircraft? The MD 902 is not an experimental aircraft, so I am not sure exactly where you are thinking the 51% rule would come into play. I could be totally wrong, and you might be speaking of something completely different.

 

[WTEngel]

Woops! 1 out of 3 isn't too bad!

I have never heard it called the 51% rule before. Usually we call it standing down, time out, "3 to go, 1 to say no", safe harbor (for all you nurses out there), etc. I have been lucky enough to have never been in a program that pressured staff even when they feel unsafe. I know these programs exist, and for anyone reading, if you work for one currently, get out as soon as possible. In cases where management pressures staff to take flights, it is a matter of when you will have an incident, not if.

Either way, I have heard that all the flight crews are being oriented prior to flying for something like 30 days. This could be a total rumor, but it sounds like a reasonable assumption.

 

[2easy4u]

No pressure

I have been flying for the same company since 1998 as a medic. And I have never been pressured. But if you fly long enough,stuff happens. Complacency is deadly and is no respecter of persons. I want to make sure this is safe.

 

[WTEngel]

So what is your motivation for taking on such great hardship and risk to go to KSA? Are the pay and benefits that much higher that you will make significantly more in KSA while still having to support your family here at home?

The only thing making it really profitable for me is that I will have no expenses here at home while I am away.

It really is none of my business I guess, but I was just wondering, since you seem to be pretty comfortable with the company you are currently working for.