Another busy week for the - in question - Taupo based rescue helicopter

The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter was dispatched to seven jobs in the last five days, and tasked but stood down to several others. In fact, it brings the total number of jobs completed by the Taupo based helicopter to close to fifty (50) missions since the beginning of march.

A time of year that we would generally refer to as the “quiet bit” - between both summer and winter where the central plateau region is subject to massive seasonal increases in population and visitor numbers.

Of Note:

Motor vehicle crashes

Critical injuries in remote areas

Less severe injuries, but in inaccessible areas on our National Cycleway System as promoted by Tourism new Zealand.

Time critical Hospital transfers - Where the patient was being prepped for surgery at the destination hospital before the helicopter was able to takeoff on its return journey to Taupo.

Persons lost in the remote bush requiring the utilisation of specialist helicopter role equipment, in which the years of experience and knowledge flying and crewing the local area allowed the helicopter team to complete the mission in a minimum timeframe with a maximum level of safety

A night search on Mt Ruapehu using NVG and equipped with FLIR.

The search was for a lightly clad, poorly equipped, inexperienced hiker, who has set out on foot during the warmth of the day for a short hike following one of the chairlift lines.

It’s only April, and already the temperature was rapidly approaching zero degrees. In a mountainous environment with the potential for weather to change dramatically, a time critical response is essential. As is a crew with an intimate knowledge of the area who are able to quickly and efficiently assess the conditions and safely conduct a search of what is a huge area in incredible challenging conditions.

Once again, this last week has shown the diversity of work undertaken by Taupo’s Highly experienced pilots and helicopter crewmen and the taupo based Intensive care paramedics ICP’s who service the region, despite being based out of a “smaller centre”.

Contrary to the comments of the Minister of health Mr David Clark , “{Quote} at the moment we have some smaller centres that have less experienced crews”

In response, on my behalf:
Upon each of these flights, when a paramedic was required as part of the crew. We flew with a Taupo based Intensive Care paramedic (ICP) the highest clinically qualified level of paramedic available anywhere in this country.

Further: Between the four persons onboard the helicopter the night of the Ruapehu mission:

Pilot: 15 years flying in the central north island (the relief pilot has 40+ years experience)
35 years experience skiing on Mt Ruapehu (former Ski Instructor Mt Ruapehu)

Crew One. 30 years in charge of Search and Rescue in the Central Plateau
30 years Volunteering as crewman on the Taupo Rescue helicopter

Crew man of multiple, high profile, extreme distance, offshore helicopter rescues.

Crew Two: 18 back to back seasons as a ski patroller on Mt Ruapehu
Former heli support in Antarctica
long serving 10+years as a member of Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Team

Crew Three: 19 back to back seasons as a ski patroller on Mt Ruapehu
8 year on Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Team

Though these crew may currently be volunteers, their level or dedication, skill, and experience is second to nobody - Professional or otherwise.

Keep in mind…… This was all just in the last week!!!!

I certainly hope my comments can be helpful for the confirmation that a Taupo Based Rescue Helicopter will be included in any new Rescue helicopter / Air ambulance framework implemented

[ENDS]

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