Flying high after one year

South-west Victoria celebrates the first anniversary of its emergency air ambulance service this month.

12-months ago, on its first day of operation, the new helicopter responded to a serious car accident, flying the occupant directly to the Alfred hospital in Melbourne. Since then the helicopter has continued to provide a vital service to the community.

In its first year of service the chopper has responded to 81 time critical medical emergencies and conducted 74 inter-hospitals transfers.

The emergency air ambulance has also performed six search and rescue operations at the request of the Australian Maritime Services Authority and responded to over 160 critical medical emergencies, hospital transfers and rescues.

The chopper, a 412 Bell EP model, is equipped with a global positioning system, weather radar, search light and rescue hoist. It can travel at 242 kilometres an hour and has a flight radius of 280 kilometres.

The Ambulance Victoria facility at Warrnambool includes a hangar and purpose built storage areas for parts and fittings vital to the safe operation of the helicopter.

The new facilities provide rest areas for flight paramedics and pilots, as well as an operational flight planning area and rooms for meetings, training and general administrative duties.

Two new commemorative gardens have been established on the site in recognition of the strong community support for the introduction of the south-west air ambulance retrieval service.