One of Australia’s leading suppliers of mission-critical helicopter services, Australian Helicopters (AHPL), has today commenced new contracts with both the Central Queensland Rescue Service (CQRS) and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service (CHRS) to support provision of emergency medical services to the Queensland Government.

AHPL was selected as preferred supplier in March and will provide increased capability in helicopter operations during emergency medical transfers, rescue operations and patient transport to the region.

Managing director Scott Swift said AHPL was excited to be providing the vital support role and partnering with the two not-for-profit organisations to provide this life saving service to the central Queensland communities.

“AHPL is a leading emergency medical service provider in Australia and a part of the world’s largest mission critical helicopter company, the Avincis Group,” Mr Swift said.

“We understand the high standards required by CQRS, CHRS and the Queensland Government, and as such we will provide the utmost level of service in the safest possible environment to the communities of Central Queensland and the Capricorn region.

“Our contract will operate a Bell 412EP aircraft from each of the bases with an additional Bell 412 aircraft provided as a shared backup to maximise the availability of the helicopters.”

CQRS’s services will operate from its Mackay base while CHRS’s will operate from its Rockhampton base, both forming part of the Queensland Government’s Emergency Helicopter Network.

All three aircraft will continue to display the logos of community and corporate sponsors, being most prominently recognised as that of major sponsor RACQ.