Every 6 hours someone in the region requires the services of the emergency air service. For this service to continue it relies on funding from the community, either through individual donations( one offs or regular payments) sponsors such as Westpac,Wellington Airport and fundraising activities as the service is not fully funded by either the ACC or District Health Boards. One of these is the yearly open day held around April or May.
The operation now operates 24/7 and where possible in all conditions. During the earthquake in Christchurch they were involved in patient transfers to hospitals around the country.
A number of activities take place during the open day. There was a demonstration of the helecopter winching someone from the top of a airport fire engine, a display from the airport fire service showing the distance that the engine can throw its water or a display from the NZ Custom’s dog Unit.
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Static displays included the Air Ambulance,(proved to be very popular),Police and Fire,Wellington Free Ambulance,Coastguard NZ,LandSAR Wellington,Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office,NZDF Bomb Disposal,Wellington Hospital Flight Nurses and Wellington Airport Fire Service.
There was also a chance to win a flight on the helicopter. For 6 lucky people this involve a short flight over Wellington.
But with any emergency service any thing could happen and it did when the helicopter was called out to a emergency. Within the hour it was seen heading to Wellington Hospital.
Note: In the end 2 emergency missions were completed during the open day of which one was to a car that had rolled on the Lake Ferry Road in the Wairarapa. The driver was flown to Wellington Hospital.
The 2nd call out was to the Hutt Valley.*2
Estimates give the figure attending were several thousands.*2
The crowds were large with many children enjoying the occasion as well as getting close up to the emergency vehicles as well as watching landing and take offs from Wellington airport (good views without looking through the terminal windows or the airport fencing).
A Brief History:*
On the 10th April 1968 Peter Button,a young plumber watch the rescuers struggle to save those on board the Wahine when it sank in the entrance to Wellington’s harbour. On that day 52 people lost their lives.
It was after that event that he and a friend founded Lifeflight.With the backing of a Wellington Businessman Mark Dunajtschik,they purchased a helicopter,learnt how to fly.
They worked closely with Dr Russell Worth a local neurosurgeon and they became involved in rescue work.
In 1981 the Commercial Bank of Australia (now Westpac) became involved in sponsoring the rescue helicopter, and that relationship continues to the present day.
In 1982 Peter received a OBE in recognition of his services to the community.Then 1987 Peter also received the Queens Medal for Gallantry, also his son received a commendation for brave conduct for the rescue of the crew of the Police Launch Lady Elizabeth 11 which had capsized in a storm.
A few days after the award Peter and 2 others died after clipping a high tension power cable whilst helping the police to search for a escaped prisoner.
* Information taken from Life Flights web page. A full version can be found on it.
*2 Updated 14th April 2013 @18.20. Information via Tweet from Life Flight
james/wildbaynz/lyallbaynz
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