Five new crew members are training to become part of the rescue team of police officers, paramedics and doctors managing the increasing demand of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Two women from Tasmania Police, and two women and one man from Ambulance Tasmania have successfully completed a number of training courses in Hobart and Sydney throughout the past two months, including wilderness survival, underwater escape training, crew resources management and wire awareness.

Now in the final stage of their training they will complete a four-week ground and flying course at Rotorlift Aviation at the Hobart Airport.

“Being part of the helicopter crew is a challenging but very rewarding and exciting role,” said Chief Crewman, Sergeant Damian Bidgood from Tasmania Police Search and Rescue.

“There’s a long list of essential criteria which must be met before participants complete a pre-selection process to be considered candidates as aircrew and rescue crew members. They must also satisfy disciplines unique to operating as part of the police crew.”

“Each new member is highly-qualified making them perfect candidates as rescue crew members. It’s great to see that for the first time, the majority of new crew members are women, making the Air Crew a true reflection of the community we serve.”

The new members will complete training in three weeks and increase the rescue crew to a total of 25 members (6 women and 19 men) on an on-call roster system. When not on-call, members return to their primary role at Tasmania Police or Ambulance Tasmania.