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Air Ambulance
Australian Aeromedical Service Providers
Operators Overview
History
Narrative Summary
In land area, Australia is comparable to the United States, but has a population of only 23 million. This low population density, and the large distances between hospitals, means Air Ambulance and helicopter rescue services have become a vital amenity.
From the late 1950s fixed-wing aircraft were being used to transport critically ill patients in remote aereas to larger hospitals. In 1962 a formal Victoria Air Ambulance service was created, chartering aircraft as required to transport patients to hospitals in Melbourne.
In 1971 the first rescue helicopter service was launched in Victoria. This pioneering programme was soon imitated in other parts of the country. The high profile Westpac Life Saver helicopter service started in NSW in 1973. By the late 1970s there were several rescue helicopter services operating and the State Governments started to regulate the service and establish their own units.
One of the largest aeromedical operators in Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service is described on another page.
Key Dates
| 1962 | First fixed-wing ambulance service. | |
| 1971 | First rescue helicopter service launched, in Victoria. | |
| 1980 | First State-funded service, in South Australia. |
Current Status
There are today numerous rescue helicopters located around Australia, providing public aeromedical services. They are funded by state governments, charities or corporate sponsorship.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
Special Markings
Australian Air Ambulances and rescue aircraft and helicopters operate in a wide variety of markings. The helicopters normally display coporate logos from their commercial sponosrs. There are no standard service titles.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
Aircraft and helicopters carry standard Australian civil registrations.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
See individual operators.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
See individual operators.
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
To be added.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
There is no central headquarters. The service is provided by individual operators tasked through the 000 emergency phone number system.
Organisational Structure
To be added.
Current Unit Assignments
Table of Current Unit Assignments
Historical Unit Assignments
To be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
See unit assignments.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
To be added.
More Information
Books
None known
Magazines
To be added
Websites
Emergency Medical Services in Australia
Helis.com: Australia Air Ambulances
Any photographs illustrating this operator would be welcome.
All-Time Units Listing
of Australian Aeromedical Service Providers
This page lists all the Australian Air Ambulance/Search & Recue Service Providers, since the service’s introduction.
Air Ambulance Victoria
Ambulance Service of New South Wales
Ambulance Tasmania
Capricorn Helicopter Rescue
CareFlight
Child Flight
CQ Rescue
Emergency Management Queensland
Energex Rescue Helicopter
National Safety Council of Australia
Northern Territory Aerial Medical Service
NQ Rescue
Peninsula Ambulance Service
RAC Rescue Helicopter
SnowyHydro Southcare
South Australia State Rescue Helicopter Service
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad
Sunshine Coast Rescue Helicopter Service
Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust
Torres Strait Rescue
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
Operator Profile
History
Narrative Summary
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service was founded in 1973 by Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA), a not-for-profit organisation. The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is the longest serving civil search and rescue helicopter service in the world. In 1973 the Bank of New South Wales, (popularly known as ‘the Wales’), became the corporate sponsor of the Rescue Helicopter service. The bank was renamed Westpac Banking Corporation in 1982 and this is reflected in the service now being known as the Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service.
Key Dates
| 1973 | Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service first established. |
Current Status
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is fully operational.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
Special Markings
Westpac Life Saver Rescue helicopters operate in a standard yellow and red colour scheme with LIFESAVER RESCUE titles on the fuselage and the local Surf Life Saving Association logo on the fin.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The helicopters carry Australian civil aircraft registrations, e.g. BK117 VH-NVG.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Table of Current Service Aircraft
All-Time Aircraft Used List
All-Time Table of Aircraft Used
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
To be added.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service, Surf Life Saving Australia, Rosebery, Sydney, NSW.
Organisational Structure
Although operating under the general title ‘Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service’, each service is actually delivered by an affiliated, non-profit organisation working to meet the specific needs of local communities. In most cases this organisation is the Surf Life Saving association for the relevant state.
Current Unit Assignments
Table of Current Unit Assignments
Historical Unit Assignments
To be added.
All-Time Flying Units List
Life Saving Victoria
NSW Greater Sydney
NSW Hunter & New England
NSW Northern Region
Surf Life Saving Queensland
Surf Life Saving South Australia
Surf Life Saving Western Australia
Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
See unit assignments.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
To be added.
More Information
Books
None known.
Magazines
To be added
Websites
wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
Westpac Life Saver Helicopter NSW
Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Northern Region
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
Facebook: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters – Official Site NSW
Facebook: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter – Northern Region
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service WA
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter QLD
Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service VIC
Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Hunter Region
Any photographs illustrating this operator would be welcome.
Current Unit Assignments
Westpac Rescue Helicopters
| Unit | Type | Base |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | ||
| Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter | ||
| Hunter Region Surf Life Saving | 2 x Bell 412 | Newcastle |
| Hunter Region Surf Life Saving | 2 x BK117 | Tamworth |
| Northern Region Surf Life Saving | 2 x AS365 | Lismore |
| Southern Region Surf Life Saving | 1 x BK117 | La Perouse, Sydney |
| Southern Region Surf Life Saving | 1 x BK117 | Moruya |
| Queensland | ||
| Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter (Surf Life Saving Queensland) | ||
| – | 1 x EC145 | Carrara |
| – | 1 x Bo 105 | Caloundra |
| South Australia | ||
| Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter (Surf Life Saving South Australia) | ||
| – | 1 x AS 350 | West Beach, Adelaide |
| Tasmania | ||
| Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust | ||
| – | 1 x AS355, 1 x BK117 | Hobart Airport |
| Victoria | ||
| Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter (Life Saving Victoria) | ||
| – | 1 x AS350, 1 x EC120 | Moorabbin, Melbourne |
| Western Australia | ||
| Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter (Surf Life Saving Western Australia) | ||
| – | 1 x AW119Ke | Freemantle |
| – | 1 x AS350 | Busselton |
Surf Life Saving Queensland
of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
History
SLSQ’s Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service began in December 1976 and patrolled Gold Coast beaches from October to April each year. In those early years a Bell 206B Jet Ranger helicopter was used. There were four rescues carried out during 37 missions flown in that first season. The service has been sponsored by Westpac (formally the Bank of New South Wales) since 1978.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 206B | 1 | Dec 1976 – ? | |
| ?? | 1 | ? – ? | |
| ?? | 1 | ? – ? | |
| AS365N | 1 | ? – ? | |
| AS350 | 1 | ? – ? | |
| EC135 | 1 | 2009 – current | |
| Bo 105 | 1 | 2012 – current |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Kurrawa | 1976 – ? |
| Carrara | ? – current |
| Caloundra | ? – current |
More Information
References
- wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
- Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter QLD
Other Sources
To be added.
Southern Region Surf Life Saving Association
of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
History
The Southern Region Surf Life Saving Association helicopter rescue service began in Sydney in 1973 as a basic beach surveillance and rescue service.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 47 | 1 | 1973 – ? | |
| Bell 206 | 1 | ? – ? | |
| AS350 | 1 | ? – ? | |
| AS365C | 1 | ? – ? | |
| BK117 | 2 | ? – current |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| La Perouse, Sydney | 1973 – current |
| Moruya | 2010 – current |
More Information
References
- wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
- Westpac Life Saver Helicopter NSW
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
- Facebook: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters – Official Site NSW
Other Sources
To be added.
Hunter Region Surf Life Saving Association
of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
History
The original helicopter service was created by The Newcastle branch of Surf Life Saving Australia, as a surf rescue and coastal observation operation during the summer months using a Bell 47 helicopter. At this time Westpac, (then the Bank of NSW), became named sponsor and has remained so to the present day. The service expaned to two helicopters in 1993. A second base was opened at Tamworth in 2000.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 47 | 2 | 1975 – ? | |
| ?? | 1 | ? – 1990 | |
| AS365 | 1 | 1990 – ? | |
| Bell 412 | 2 | 1993 – current | |
| Bell 407 | 1 | 2000 – 2007 | |
| BK117 | 2 | 2007 – current |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Newcastle | 1975 – current |
| Tamworth | 2000 – current |
More Information
References
- wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
- Westpac Life Saver Helicopter NSW
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
- Facebook: Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters – Official Site NSW
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Hunter Region
Other Sources
To be added.
Surf Life Saving Western Australia
of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
History
The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter for the Perth area was launched in December 2008 and is a service provided by Surf Life Saving Western Australia (SLSWA). A new helicopter was obtained in late 2011, and this allowed the original helicopter to move south and start operations at from Busselton.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS350 | 1 | 2008 – current | |
| AW119Ke | 1 | 2011 – current |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Freemantle | 2008 – current |
| Busselton | 2011 – current |
More Information
References
- wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
- Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service WA
Other Sources
To be added.
Life Saving Victoria
of Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service
History
The official Life Saving Victoria website gives almost no information on the history of the helicopter service. LSV itself was formed in 2002 from a merger of two previous organisations.
Aircraft
| Type | Qty | Service | Example Serials |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS350 | 1 | 2010 – current | |
| EC120 | 1 | ? – current | VH-ECP |
| ?? | 1 | ? – 2010 | |
| ?? | 1 | ? – ? |
Unit Markings
| Figure 1 |
|---|
| To be added |
Main Bases
| Base | Duration |
|---|---|
| Moorabbin Airport, Melbourne | ? – current |
More Information
References
- wikipedia: Westpac Life Saver Helicopter Service
- Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopters
- Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service VIC
Other Sources
To be added.