ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2020 - 22

Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Service Responds to
Emergencies in New
South Wales, Australia

T

he Westpac Rescue
Helicopter Service in New
South Wales, Australia,
was established in
1975 by a group of surf
livesavers as a volunteer weekend
coastal patrol. With incredible support
from its local community, the Service
has continually evolved throughout
its history and today operates 24/7,
providing critical aeromedical, search,
rescue and interhospital transfers to
care for communities in the northern
half of the state of New South
Wales. The Service proudly regards
itself as the "Community's Own"
rescue helicopter.
The Service now operates four
Leonardo AW139 aircraft from three
bases. Along with the pilot and aircrew
officer, every primary response
mission leaves with a dedicated NSW

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ambulance critical care paramedic,
NSW health doctor and, depending on
the needs of each patient, specialist
nursing professionals.
The Service's mission is to "always
be there for its community, delivering
the highest standard of aeromedical
services to those in need." And
from the onset of COVID-19, it was
clear that the service, like its peers
around the world, was flying into
unprecedented times.
A critical priority has been to
prepare the aircraft and crews to
minimize the risk of exposure to
COVID-19. From an aeromedical
point of view, it was agreed that
aircrews could be tasked to complete
retrieval and transfer flights (hospital
to hospital) of known COVID-19
patients; provide the same services for
unconfirmed but symptomatic patients;

or to respond to emergencies such
as motor vehicle accidents, medical
conditions or injuries.
COVID-19 delivered a double
impact to the Service. As well as the
increased costs associated with PPE
and other COVID-19 risk mitigation,
the Service quickly saw a significant
decrease in community-derived
funding, as all face-to-face fundraising
was suspended with economic
uncertainty also likely impacting
community donations.
The ISTAT Foundation COVID-19
Relief Grant was gratefully received
by the Service in July 2020. The
Service has extended its thanks to the
leadership team and staff of the ISTAT
Foundation as it continues to focus on
its mission, flying to assist community
members on average four times
per day.
ISTAT Jetrader - Autumn 2020

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