Life-saving role of rescue helicopter

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service will respond to almost 400 missions from its Tamworth base in a year.

While these services are ready to be deployed to all parts of northern NSW when needed, most of these missions will be to communities in the New England and North West, including Narrabri.

For Narrabri resident Sarah Ford, she is one of those almost 400 people in a year who can thank the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service for being there in a critical time of need.

When Mrs Ford suddenly became ill in July this year, little did she know the helicopter crew would be deployed to transport her to the John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

Suffering what she thought was severe back pain, Mrs Ford presented to the Narrabri Hospital with a heart attack and would later go into cardiac arrest.

It was a terrifying ordeal for Mrs Ford and her family, however, the care from Narrabri Hospital, the rescue helicopter and John Hunter Hospital was exemplary.

Mrs Ford reflected on her experience at a gathering of ‘Rescue Club’ members at a meet the team event held at the service’s Tamworth base.

People who owe their lives to the work of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service are part of a unique group of people in the region known as the ‘Rescue Club’.

“The emergency department and the doctor at Narrabri Hospital were amazing,” Mrs Ford told The Courier.

Her praise is equally as glowing for the helicopter crew who did everything they could to put her family at ease.

For Mrs Ford, it was the helicopter crew’s reassuring approach to her son, Jobe, that meant the world.

“It was very distressing,” she said.

“The helicopter crew showed Jobe the helicopter and things like the ear muffs.

“They were fantastic to him. To be so reassuring to Jobe was a huge things for us.”

The service’s family friendly nature aside, it was their onboard medical expertise and ability to quickly connect her with critical health care that was the difference between life and death.

While no one in her immediate family had required the use of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service previously, community advocacy through its Narrabri support group meant Mrs Ford was well aware of the service and its important role in the North West.

“It is comforting to know you are in safe hands,” she said of being transported by the service.

The experience has also made Mrs Ford a strong advocate for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

“I want to do more to raise money and awareness for the rescue helicopter,” she said.

“Living in the country, we are so lucky to have a service like this.”

The weekend’s Rescue Club gathering in Tamworth was also an opportunity for former patients to meet the crew who are ready to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For Mrs Ford, she was able to meet the helicopter pilot who helped transport her safely to Newcastle to ensure she would receive specialist care.

Little did Mrs Ford know at the time that she was in the safe care of Trent Owen, a training and checking air crew officer with 23 years’ service with the rescue helicopter.

Mr Owen said the Rescue Club gatherings, which are also held at other bases including Belmont and Lismore, gave patients closure after being transported for medical care.

Mr Owen said patients often come into the care of the service unconscious and remember little, or nothing, of their time in the helicopter.

“It’s a service you wish you never have to use. But when you need it, you’re glad it’s there,” he said.

With decades of experience flying on missions across the North West, Mr Owen is all too familiar with landing at the Narrabri Hospital helipad to ensure patients can receive care in their critical time of need.

Being able to meet these patients after being in the care of the service is a rewarding experience, he said.

“It’s also great for them to meet the staff behind the service in a relaxed manner.”

Working from the Tamworth base, Mr Owen was inspired to work with the rescue helicopter because it combined his desire to give back to the community with his love of aviation.

“Watching my father serve in Fire and Rescue NSW instilled the value of helping your community in a time of need, and honestly I was torn between applying for a position with Fire and Rescue NSW, or following my passion for aviation,” Mr Owen said when he marked his 20th anniversary with the service.

During his tenure, Mr Owen took a position with the Westpac Life Saver operation in Sydney to diversify his experience, but he always came back to Tamworth to cover shifts where necessary.

“Loyalty and my family kept me coming back. The service gave me a chance as a 20-year-old volunteer rescue crewman and I was forever grateful and still wanted to contribute to the service wherever possible,” he said.

Looking back on his achievements, which include being named Australian Helicopter Aircrew Member of the Year’ by the Australian Helicopter Industry Association in 2018, Mr Owen said he never could have dreamed of the career he has had as a 20-year-old.

His role as training and checking air crew officer now sees him apply the skills he has learnt over two decades and share his passion for aviation safety with others.

Being able to pass on his experience, help train staff on the new generation aircraft and apply skills learnt over the last two decades to help Northern NSW in their time of need is an absolute honour, he said.

“I am so proud that we have a world class service to provide for regional NSW,” Mr Owen said.