New helipad boosts EMS/SAR ops in Torrest Strait

New helipad boosts EMS/SAR ops in Torrest Strait

17-Dec-2010 Source: Australian Helicopters

Australians in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula will now have access to better and safer emergency medical helicopter services after the construction of a brand new $4.6 million helipad by Queensland Health for the Thursday Island Hospital.

The 620-square metre aeromedical helipad, ringed with two-metre safety nets, will be used by Australian Helicopters’ quick response teams to transport patients from the Torres Strait Islands right up to the Papua New Guinea border and as far south as Weipa and Lockhart River, to the Thursday Island Hospital through its medical and search and rescue operations.

The new helicopter landing site was built by Queensland Health in response to an audit, which found the existing helipad limited the type of aircraft that could be used by the Hospital due to its small size, proximity to the hospital buildings and lack of appropriate lighting for night operations.

“The new helicopter landing site is better positioned and sized to suit the larger helicopters commonly employed today and is able to accommodate helicopters weighing up to 7.6 tonnes,” Australian Helicopters Chief Executive Officer Neil Shea said.

“This means we are able to use our dedicated Bell 412 helicopter to service the region and upgrade to even more capable aircraft in the future.

“The Bell 412 is a utility helicopter fitted with a full medical suite of equipment including a stretcher loading system necessary for transporting critically ill patients. Its all-weather and day and night capabilities allow it to fly around the clock in most weather conditions.

“Australian Helicopters has been providing emergency medical and search and rescue services to the Queensland Health Department for the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula since 1995 and have transported more than 600 patients in the Torres Strait over the last 12 months.

“The upgrade of this critical landing site will enable us to continue our strong commitment to provide emergency medical helicopter services of the highest standard to the communities in the Torres Strait and northern Cape York.”

The new helicopter landing site is made of Aluminium and includes world-class features such as a Passive Fire Suppression System and an active Deck Integrated Fire Fighting System to reduce the risk of fire in the event of accidental fuel spills. As the site is positioned at sea level in a tidal zone, the fuel capture feature ensures any spills on the deck are contained and any chance of environmental pollution minimised.

The Torres Strait is one of the eight key bases for Australian Helicopters. Close to 40 staff are assigned at Horn Island and TI to provide charter, emergency medical evacuation, search and rescue and border protection services.

Australian Helicopters is one of the largest Australian-owned helicopter companies in the country. It is headquartered in Brisbane with a fleet of 19 twin and single engine helicopters at bases from Adelaide to the Torres Strait.

Australian Helicopters’ fleet undertakes thousands of flight operations each year including emergency flights, medivac transfers, neonatal transfers and border patrols along thousands of kilometres of coastline. The company also operates aircraft involved in general charter, defence training, police operations and search and rescue missions throughout Australia.

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