Westpac Rescue Helicopter

On Wednesday 1st April Team 20 visited the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. It was very interesting and we were able to talk to Rick and Andy. They told us all about their job which sounded very exciting. We were able to ask lots of questions.

Do rescue workers get hurt or injured?
Yes but hopefully not often!

Has anyone left and changed their job from working here?
Yes they change jobs and leave because it is a very stressful and noisy job.

Do you have a flying ambulance plane here?
There is a flying ambulance, it isn’t here it is over closer to the airport in the flying ambulance hangar.

How fast does the helicopter go?
The helicopters speed is 120KTS or 200km/per hour

Have you used the helicopter to help at a fire?
Yes there is a big monsoon bucket in the hangar which we hook onto the helicopter. It holds 1000 litres of water.

Have you saved anyone before? Has anyone died in an emergency that you have been to?
We have saved lots of people but people have died too, it is a very sad part of our job.

How did you learn to do this job?
We go to University for 3 years and then we work on the ambulance for 10 years before we can work here.

Where do you keep all your special gear?
In special places inside the helicopter, there is not much room in the helicopter.

What fuel does the helicopter use?
Jet A1, which is like kerosene.

How high does the helicopter go?
10,000 feet

Do you wear a special uniform?
We have a special flight suit that is red and fire proof. We have another special suit for when we do sea rescues.

Has the helicopter been damaged?
Yes, only a few weeks ago some birds flew into the helicopter and damaged it. We were on the way to Mt Cook.

How do you save people?
We fly to them and use bandages and medicine to make them feel better and then fly them to the hospital.

Do you feel like a hero?
Anyone who helps other people is a hero.



Other interesting pieces of information
The cost to replace the helicopter is $7million
The cost to run the helicopter for one hour is $3500
The helmet cost $3000
It takes the helicopter 12 minutes to get to Akaroa and 40 minutes to get to Greymouth.
Auckland. Wellington and Christchurch all have red helicopters but Dunedin has a black helicopter.
The area covered by the Chch helicopter is from Waitaki to half way between Kaikoura and Blenheim and off shore areas too.

A very big thank you to Di, Deb, Chris, Kerry and Shelley who helped out on the trip by providing transport.