A shiny new rescue helicopter paid a special visit to Kruttschnidt Oval on Wednesday, delighting school children with its new life-saving technology.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
LifeFlight’s upgraded Mount Isa-based helicopter touched down in the North West earlier than expected, following a 1600 kilometre journey from its previous base at Bundaberg.
The new helicopter offers a better medical platform, improving speed and range, and allowing for two patients to be transported in most situations, compared to one currently.
It will also be Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capable, which will enhance the crew’s night flying capability and allow them to land in almost any location within a 300km radius.
In another major improvement, the aircraft will have winch equipment on board, which will enable the crew to winch patients where the helicopter is unable to land due to terrain or environmental conditions.
The Honorable Tony McGrady AM, Chairman of the Aeromedical Joint Operations Oversight Committee (AJOOC), was happy to introduce junior students to the LifeFlight team and field their many questions.
“You all know what this is behind me, don’t you?” Mr McGrady asked the students.
One boy answered, “It’s the LifeFlight helicopter so whenever people need rescuing out bush, the helicopter can come and save them.”
Students from St Kieran’s Catholic School and Spinifex Junior School were curious to see the new machine, and hear about some of LifeFlight’s rescue missions.
Pilot Mike Slattery answered students’ questions about the new aircraft and how it works.
He showed students how the controls in the cockpit worked, while paramedics showed students medical equipment and stretchers in the back.
Mr McGrady briefly explained the relationship between LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who have aeroplanes when helicopter access is not possible or appropriate.
“Sometimes that will be the RFDS fixed wing aircraft, other times that will be the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter which now has greater range,” he said.
“We know that the best way to provide an aeromedical health service for the region and to get the best patient outcomes is to have the best air asset assigned to the airlift.”
Glencore is one of the major sponsors of LifeFlight, and they had representatives present to celebrate the arrival of the new helicopter.
LifeFlight Chief Operating Officer Brian Guthrie said it was fantastic to have the opportunity to show the community, particularly school children, the new machine.
He said the aircraft’s arrival was part of LifeFlight’s most significant fleet movement in recent years.
“We replaced the BK117 in Bundaberg which enabled us to move that helicopter up to Mount Isa and provide a better aircraft and a better lifesaving service to the region,” Mr Guthrie said.
Local residents will be seeing more of the blue and yellow helicopter in the coming weeks, as the crew begins training in the upgraded aircraft.
During this crossover period LifeFlight will station extra staff at Mount Isa, keeping the current helicopter in the air and saving lives.
It is anticipated the Mount Isa crew will be fully operational in the upgraded aircraft by mid-August.
LifeFlight Deputy Chairman Jim Elder said the organisation was proud to provide an improved level of care to the North-West community.
“Following the Palaszczuk Government’s announcement last month of funding for our Mount Isa base of $2.4 million for 2017-18, which was very welcome by LifeFlight, we said we would upgrade the LifeFlight service to the North-West and we have delivered the helicopter earlier than we had expected,” said Mr Elder.
“We would expect the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter to more than double its flying hours and the tasking for lifesaving missions in 2017-18 to 100-150 hours.
“We also promised the Mayors of the North-West that the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter would have a greater community presence and that will be the case through more missions and training flights which will allow us to get out a lot more to areas like Richmond, Cloncurry, McKinlay and Hughenden.
“Although we have flown, and will continue to fly anywhere, anytime in the North-West where we need to save lives.”
Mr Elder said the community support in the region was an important factor in LifeFlight’s decision to upgrade the Mount Isa helicopter with local supporters such as Glencore leading the way this year with the renewal of a two-year $300,000 sponsorship.
Last financial year the Mount Isa-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter recorded a 32% increase in missions, performing 29 rescues throughout the region.
LifeFlight has been operating from Mount Isa since merging with NQ Rescue in July 2015. This year marks 10 years since the introduction of a rescue helicopter service to the region.
To support the LifeFlight Foundation visit: www.lifeflight.org.au/page/support-us/