Two new choppers for SA emergency services
The State Government will spend $150 million on two new helicopters for SA’s police and ambulance services.
SAPOL will receive a new Airbus H145 D3 helicopter (pictured) to replace its current 30-year-old helicopter. Photo: Airbus Helicopters Canada.
The new State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS) helicopters are expected to boost response time and operational capacity for emergency services once operational by the end of 2024.
Announced today, four new dedicated pilots will be hired by SRHS which operates around the clock every day and specialises in aeromedical retrievals from rural hospitals and accident scenes, search and rescue missions on-land and at sea and airborne law enforcement.
The choppers will be used by SA Police and SA Ambulance Service (SAAS), with the former’s existing 30-year-old helicopter to be replaced by a new twin-engine Airbus H145 D3 which is faster, quieter and lighter.
SAAS will receive a Bell 412 EP to be configured for medical operations which will arrive in December next year.
The government said the four additional pilots would give emergency services scope to run a third line of flying for 24/7 operations, meaning three helicopters can be airborne at once if required.
Police and emergency services Minister Joe Szakacs said the new helicopters would “both prevent crime and save lives”.
“The additional helicopter delivered in this investment will allow for better resourcing during times of need and relieve demand on the service,” Szakacs said.
SAAS operations manager Pat Stevenson welcomed the announcement.
“Our rescue and retrieval clinicians are responsible for providing care to the critically ill and injured, completing around 850 emergency retrievals in the helicopter each year,” Stevenson said.
“The third Bell 412 helicopter will further enhance SAAS 24/7 capability to respond to medical retrievals and rescues, enabling us to continue to provide critical care to all our patients.”
The announcement forms part of the state government’s contract with services provider Babcock Australiasia which has been extended for a further four years.
The company’s CEO Andrew Cridland said Babcock was “proud to work in partnership with the South Australian Government”.
“The life-saving work, which we have delivered for almost 20 years, is a testament to Babcock’s hardworking team who provide this service 24/7, 365 days a year,” Cridland said.
“Babcock’s new four-year contract and the addition of a fourth helicopter to our fleet means we will be able to provide even greater support to the South Australian community.”
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