Save the Rescue Helicopter

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service has been operating inNSW since 1973 and has saved more than 34,000 lives during this time.There is no cost obligation for anyone who is rescued by thesehelicopters.

Next year, 2007, marks 34 years of the Westpac Life Saver RescueHelicopters operating in NSW and also marks the predicted end of the service in the Sydney andCentral West areas. The NSW Government is believed to be giving the NSWAmbulance Service contract allowing the helicopter service to operateand save lives in NSW to the new and foreign owned CHC HelicopterService of Canada.

We are proud of the fantastic and heroic work of the crewpersons,paramedics, pilots and doctors of the helicopter service and believethat the Ambulance Service Contract needs to stay with the Westpac LifeSaver Rescue Helicopter Service and not be given to a foreign operator.The helicopter service is community based and relies on communitysupport to ensure that it continues to save lives; this support will nolonger continue if the service turned private.

This contract needs to remain with the Westpac Life Saver RescueHelicopter Service, and the new helicopters that the government haspromised to deliver to the new tender, must be given to the currentservices. If the government is prepared to pay more money for theRescue Helicopter services in NSW, then they should give it to LifeSaver to enhance the brilliant service they have been providing foralmost 35 years.

SAVE THE WESTPAC LIFE SAVER RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICE.