Community-based helicopter rescue operators from Mackay to the New South Wales border will share in $3.57 million State Government funding to equip themselves with state-of-the-art night vision goggles (NVG).
“The use of NVG is the benchmark practice for night time emergency medical helicopter operations,” Acting Health Minister Scott Emerson said today.
“This money will support night-vision technology for community-run helicopter rescue services based at Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast.
“Conversion to NVG involves significant additional costs. Under this initiative, RACQ Careflight Rescue, the Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service and Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service will each share in Government support to introduce NVG.
“The Newman Government promised to revitalise front line services, and that’s exactly what we’re delivering with this funding boost for community helicopter providers.”
Mr Emerson said the State Government’s Emergency Management helicopter network already was equipped with night vision goggles.
“This $3.57 million in start-up funding will provide for new equipment, modifications to aircraft and training for pilots to allow community helicopter providers to equip themselves to the same standard as the government’s EMQ rescue helicopters,” he said.
“About 40 per cent of all community rescue helicopter operations involve night-time or near-dark activity.
“Although night vision equipment is not required for every single one of these night operations, it is vital as an option to improve the safety of aircrew, retrieval teams and patients.”
The funding was welcomed by local MPs in areas served by community helicopter providers.
Member for Buderim, Steve Dickson, said current NVG devices had a life of about 10,000 hours, which equated to about 10 years of use.
“The services provided by our community rescue helicopter organisations are absolutely vital to Queensland,” he said.
“The Newman Government is committed to supporting these services and ensuring they are able to maintain the same high standard of capability as our own rescue helicopters.”
