Northern NSW Helicopter Rescue Service (Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service)

Operating since 1975, we are an Australian charity committed to delivering the highest standard of aeromedical and rescue services to those in need across Northern NSW.
We work in partnership with NSW Ambulance and NSW Health, with bases in Belmont, Tamworth, and Lismore, as well as a maintenance and engineering facility in Newcastle.

Tasked by NSW Ambulance in response to emergency Triple Zero (000) calls, we operate 24/7 to reach patients when time is critical, or ground-based emergency services are inaccessible.

We respond to three types of missions:
– Pre-Hospital Emergencies – When patients are in hard-to-reach locations, require urgent medical care, or need rapid transport.
– Inter-Hospital Transfers – For critically ill or injured patients requiring specialist treatment at a major facility.
– Search & Rescue – Land and marine-based operations, often involving patient extractions from remote or challenging environments.

Our medical teams provide treatment on scene, continuing care in- flight to the most appropriate emergency facility or major trauma hospital.
Every flight carries a highly skilled team, including a NSW Ambulance Critical Care Paramedic, NSW Health Doctor, Pilot, and an Aircrew Officer. Additional medical and nursing specialists are deployed when needed.

We operate a fleet of five AW139 rescue helicopters, covering a vast 152,000-square-kilometre area. Our service area extends from the Hawkesbury River on Sydney’s outskirts to the Queensland border and as far west as Bourke.
On average, we complete over 1,500 missions per year, ensuring that life-saving care reaches those who need it most.

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