Aerial rescue trial to strengthen emergency response in western NSW

SOME of the state’s key emergency service providers have partnered in a new aerial rescue trial to strengthen responses across western NSW.

VRA Rescue, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and NSW Police Force have united for the six-month trial that will see specialist operators rapidly deployed by helicopter to serious road crash incidents in remote and regional communities.

The trial will operate out of Dubbo Regional Airport, but will cover areas north to the Queensland border and west to Bourke. A NSW RFS Bell 412 helicopter will be used.

It is hoped the trial will provide an additional rapid response capability to incidents where distance and travel times can delay the arrival of specialist rescue resources.

NSW RFS deputy commissioner Ben Millington said the trial is designed to get rescue equipment and personnel to support ground crews in hard-to-reach locations.

“By departing here from Dubbo, we can reach areas through to Orange, out west towards Bourke and of course north towards Coonabarabran and the Queensland border,” Mr Millington said.

“This isn’t designed to replace our ground crews but simply to … make sure that we can get timely support out to those rural and regional areas as quickly as possible.”

To support the trial, eight VRA Rescue NSW volunteers have completed this specialist training, ensuring they are qualified to deploy by helicopter with rescue equipment to remote road crash incidents.

Among those trained are four medical students who have joined VRA Rescue NSW, bringing their passion for emergency medicine while further developing their practical skills and knowledge throughout their medical careers.

VRA Rescue NSW commissioner Brenton Charlton said the initiative highlights the organisation’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and developing the next generation of rescue volunteers.

“Our volunteers are highly trained specialist rescue operators, and this trial provides an opportunity to deliver that capability to remote communities more quickly when it’s needed most,” Mr Charlton said.

“We’re also incredibly proud to have four medical students join our organisation as part of this capability.

“Their enthusiasm to learn, serve their communities and further develop their clinical skills is a fantastic example of the diverse volunteers who make VRA Rescue NSW such a capable and progressive rescue organisation.”

The collaborative trial has been endorsed by the State Rescue Board and the NSW government.