Snowy Hydro SouthCare

Snowy Hydro SouthCare
Capital Region Retrieval Service

The SouthCare Bell 412 VH-NSC
Formation 1998
Purpose Search and rescue, patient retrieval
Headquarters Symonston, Australian Capital Territory
Region served
Australian Capital Territory, Southeastern New South Wales
CEO
 Chris Kimball
Website www.snowyhydrosouthcare.com.au

Snowy Hydro SouthCare is a rescue and aeromedical helicopter service that is based in Canberra, Australia. The area served covers the Australian Capital Territory, as well as parts of New South Wales including the South Coast, Southern Tablelands, Central West and Riverina regions as far south as the border with Victoria. SouthCare operates a single Bell 412 through CHC Helicopters Australia,[1] with medical crews provided by the Capital Region Retrieval Service, a part of the ACT Government Health Directorate.[2] The service is backed by significant funding from Hydro-electric energy company Snowy Hydro. Rescue and retrieval missions conducted outside of the ACT are generally co-ordinated with the Ambulance Service of New South Wales.[3] In January 2013, the helicopter performed its 5000th mission since the service began operations in 1998.[4]

Missions flown by the helicopter include primary, or rescue missions where patients are stabilised and transported to major hospitals from accident scenes. Secondary missions involve patient transfers between major and regional hospitals to access urgent specialist treatment. Other missions include search and rescue and aerial firefighting. The aircraft is based at a dedicated facility for emergency services helicopters located in Symonston, adjacent to the Monaro Highway.

History

AW139 in Snowy Hydro Southcare livery

Established in October 1998, the SouthCare helicopter service participated in a major maritime rescue operation in December of that year when the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race fleet encountered severe weather conditions, resulting in the loss of 6 lives and 5 yachts. The SouthCare crews rescued nine sailors from two stricken vessels, Stand Aside and Midnight Special. As recognition for their role in the rescue, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia made a donation of $20,000 to the service in 2002.[5]

In 1999, Canberra International Airport signed a five-year agreement to allow SouthCare to operate from the airport exempt from rent. The interim measure allowed the service to maintain its operations while planning and construction of a dedicated facility progressed.[6]

On 13 January 2003, the helicopter was carrying Chief Minister Jon Stanhope with the Territory's Chief Fire Control Officer surveying bushfires burning in the Namadgi National Park near Canberra. The helicopter responded to an emergency call when a second helicopter involved in water-bombing operations crashed into Bendora Dam. Both Stanhope and Fire Officer Peter Lucas-Smith joined the SouthCare paramedic in the subsequent rescue, stripping down to their underwear and swimming to the sinking helicopter and pulling the unconscious pilot from the sinking aircraft.[7] All three men received bravery medals for their role in the rescue.[8] In the following days the helicopter was engaged in water bombing activities during the 2003 Canberra bushfires disaster.[9]

In June 2013, SouthCare successfully applied for a $500,000 grant from the Australian Government's Regional Development Fund. The money was to be used to fund the construction of an administration- and training facility at the Symonston base.[10]

From 2017, the service will be part of the NSW Helicopter Retrieval Network and will upgrade to an AgustaWestland AW139.[11]

Funding

In addition to naming rights sponsor Snowy Hydro, the service is widely supported through local business and community sponsorship as well as volunteer participation to help raise awareness for SouthCare. In 2013, sponsorship raised just over $1,000,000 while donations from the community raised a further $623,000. Additionally, the service sells merchandise and holds regular fund raising events, such as public open days at its Symonston base.[4] Additionally, the ground infrastructure is jointly funded by both the ACT Government and NSW Health who provide 24 hour medical staff as well as training facilities.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "VH-NSC Australian Aircraft Registration Details". regosearch.com.
  2. ↑ "Capital Region Retrieval Service - Snowy Hydro Southcare". ACT Government.
  3. ↑ "Snowy Hydro SouthCare Rescue Helicopter Service". Snowy Hydro. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Annual Report 2012-2013" (PDF). Snowy Hydro SouthCare. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  5. ↑ "Maxi yacht skipper presents SOLAS cheque". Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 15 December 2002.
  6. ↑ "The Hub - Issue 1" (PDF). Capital Airport Group. April 1999.
  7. ↑ Delaney, Brigid (14 January 2003). "Minister in dramatic rescue of ditched chopper pilot". Sydney Morning Herald.
  8. ↑ "Stanhope awarded bravery medal for rescuing pilot during ACT fires". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 14 October 2003.
  9. ↑ "A Nation Charred:Report on the inquiry into bushfires" (PDF). Parliament of Australia. 23 October 2003.
  10. ↑ "$500k grant to Helicopter service". Braidwood Times. 18 June 2013.
  11. ↑ "New Network for Helicopter Retrieval" (PDF). NSW Health. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  12. ↑ "New Network for Helicopter Retrieval" (PDF). NSW Health. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
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