Busiest rescue chopper year
Northland’s rescue helicopters are closing in on 1300 flights – the busiest year on record.
As of midnight on December 29, 1281 flights had been recorded since January 1, 2021. That compares to 1115 flights in 2020 and 953 flights in 2019.
On one day a record nine missions were undertaken, with all three Sikorsky’s in action.
The announcement comes as Northland Rescue Helicopter’s partner, Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, also announced its busiest year on record.
By midnight December 29 Westpac Rescue Helicopter crews had flown 1215 missions, on the back of the 2020 record breaking total of 1187 flights.
As demand for the Northland Rescue Helicopter service continues to increase, Northland Emergency Services Trust chairman Paul Ahlers says it highlights the importance of having a world-class air ambulance service available for the people of Te Tai Tokerau day and night.
“Since this charity was launched in 1988, there have been well over 22,000 flights and clearly that number is growing every year,” Ahlers says.
“Our team could not do that work 24/7 without the support of the other emergency services and lifeline groups in Northland, not to mention the volunteers within those organisations and members of the Northland community who constantly look out for each other. We receive really strong community support and we are very grateful for that.”
Northland Rescue Helicopter chief executive Craig Gibbons says his team has done a superb job managing the increased workload the past couple of years.
“I would like to acknowledge the dedication of our team. They do an exceptional job looking out for the community,” Gibbons says.
Both rescue helicopter services are being used more to reach severely injured or unwell patients.
“It is part of a nationwide trial where air ambulances like ours are being used more often on those kinds of accidents and incidents. It is an initiative stemming from the government’s commitment to improved healthcare and better patient outcomes.
“With the large increase in visitors to the region over the summer holiday period, we ask that people continue to keep an eye on each other, just as all of the volunteers and first responders throughout the region remain incredibly dedicated to being there for locals and visitors to the north.”
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Northland is now in a restricted fire season, while fires will be completely banned in the Far North.
Fire and Emergency NZ said the change took effect from January 12.
A restricted fire season means people will need a permit to light an open-air fire, which can be applied for on www.checkitsalright.nz.
The area north of Awanui to Cape Rēinga and the Karikari Peninsula, which is usually in a year-round restricted fire season, will move to a prohibited fire season. This means no open-air fires can be lit and no permits to light fires will be issued.
The change comes as firefighters continue to battle a scrub fire in Waiharara in the Far North. The blaze, which started on December 18, is still yet to be contained. The 2400-hectare fire has affected wetlands, forced the evacuation of residents in Kaimaumau, and damaged sacred cultural sites.
Fire and Emergency district manager Wipari Henwood said Northland’s dry and windy forecast this summer had increased the fire risk.
‘‘We know that there is a higher risk for large, uncontrolled fires to be established in Northland in these conditions. If it’s hot and windy, please don’t light a fire.’’