The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust is providing $150,000 to support advanced training for Tasmania Police aircrew members.

Chair of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Trust, Tony Harrison OAM, today presented a $150,000 cheque to Assistant Commissioner Rob Blackwood at the Tasmania Police Academy in Rokeby.

Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said that the funding would be used to train existing police aircrew members to an enhanced standard in accordance with contemporary aviation regulation requirements and national standards.

“The advanced training enables an aircrew member to perform non-pilot cockpit duties in the rescue helicopter,” he said.

“This will enable the aircrew member to provide enhanced support to the pilot in a range of rescue mission scenarios.”

Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said that the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service is a very important capability for Tasmania Police and has been deployed to save lives in a variety of challenging environments over many years.

“It’s a 24/7 service that can deploy at any time of the day or night to respond to search and rescue incidents, road crashes, medical emergencies and police operations,” he said.

“Police perform a critical role as aircrew members supporting the pilot and other crew including highly skilled flight paramedics and doctors.

“The advanced training will go towards enhancing the safety and overall capability of rescue helicopter operations in Tasmania.

“A more effective rescue helicopter service improves our ability to respond to people in distress or in need of help across the rugged Tasmanian landscape.”

Assistant Commissioner Blackwood said that training included monitoring aircraft systems and flight conditions during normal flight and monitoring aircraft systems during abnormal and emergency procedures.

“The upskilling of police aircrew members will contribute to increased safety and more effective performance of the rescue helicopter service,” he said.