The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust has gifted $150,000 to Tasmania Police to support advanced training for aircrew members.
Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood said the funding would be used to train existing police aircrew members to an “enhanced standard” in line with contemporary aviation regulation requirements and national standards.
“The advanced training enables an aircrew member to perform non-pilot cockpit duties in the rescue helicopter,” he said.
“This will enable the aircrew member to provide enhanced support to the pilot in a range of rescue mission scenarios.”
Blackwood said the helicopter service is a “very important capability” for Police and has been deployed to save lives in a variety of challenging environments over many years.
“It’s a 24/7 service that can deploy at any time of the day or night to respond to search and rescue incidents, road crashes, medical emergencies and police operations.”
“Police perform a critical role as aircrew members supporting the pilot and other crew including highly skilled flight paramedics and doctors.”
“The advanced training will go towards enhancing the safety and overall capability of rescue helicopter operations in Tasmania.”
“A more effective rescue helicopter service improves our ability to respond to people in distress or in need of help across the rugged Tasmanian landscape.”
