SG Fleet is the ongoing
vehicle sponsor for Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST), supplying
a Ford Ranger and Ford Puma for the Northland Rescue Helicopter team to assist
them with this vital work.
The
Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) is a charitable trust established to
provide a dedicated emergency rescue helicopter service for the people of
Northland.
Geoff
Tipene, Managing Director of SG Fleet, New Zealand, said: "It's a
privilege to help support the continued work of NEST, which is so crucial to
providing an essential emergency service, and particularly to those living in
remote areas of Northland." On-duty pilots and engineers will use these
new vehicles. The addition of these new vehicles enables the Northland
Emergency Services Trust staff to continue the lifesaving work they do in the
Northland region.
Trust Chair of NEST, Paul Ahlers said, "It is valuable sponsorship of this type that enables the rescue chopper service to continue the lifesaving work it does in the Northland region."
"This
support will help us continue to provide a valuable service to the people of
Northland, and with over 3,200kms of coastline and many remote rural
communities, we are one of the busiest operators in the country. We responded
to 1,115 call-outs last year, so quick and reliable transport is often key to
delivering positive patient outcomes."
Since 1988, NEST has carried over 21,000 people to safety. Whether they've been locals, other Kiwis holidaying in the area or overseas visitors to Northland's beautiful region – they answer the call for help when they're needed.
Northland
has many unsealed roads, with changeable weather and people live over a
wide-spread area that's often difficult to access quickly by road. With an
increased risk of death and serious injury caused when medical treatment is
delayed – all of these factors make Northland's Rescue Helicopter service so
essential.
On
average, they fly three missions in a 24 hour period, and approximately
one-third of the flights are during the night. They will fly casualties to
Whangarei Hospital and Auckland Hospital if more specialist treatment is
required.
NEST has three Sikorsky S-76 emergency rescue helicopters. They are the only service in New Zealand using this model of emergency helicopters providing world-class capabilities with world-class pilots to fly them. The choppers' crews are qualified St John paramedics who are experienced pre-hospital emergency clinicians and provide medical care and treatment. They also serve as the winch operators on search and rescue operations.
In the
hangar based in Whangarei City, the team runs operations behind the scenes.
That includes everyone from accounts to the experts busy fixing their fleet and
the engineers who ensure that the helicopters are safe and in good condition.
SG Fleet is proud to provide support vehicles for this essential emergency rescue work.
