Northland Emergency Services Trust


The Northland Emergency Services Trust is an emergency air rescue service in Whangarei, New Zealand. The Trust is supported by contributions from local sponsors, individuals, families, businesses and organisations.

History

The concept for the Northland Emergency Services Trust was conceived at a public meeting called at the request of the Auckland Surf Club in 1988. The meeting discussed the idea of having a rescue helicopter in Northland for three months over the summer period.
Joyce Ryan, who was the Mayor of Whangarei at the time, asked those present if they thought the money that was being asked for, to run the service for three months, seemed fair. After discussion, the St John contingent said: “We can do the same job for the same money, but for the whole year.”
Since then, NEST transported the first patient on Tuesday 15 November 1988 and has since carried more than 20,000 passengers.
In 1988, when NEST began, its first emergency helicopter was a Bell 206 – which is a basic single pilot, one engine and one patient rescue helicopter.
In 1991, the Bell Jet Ranger was replaced with a more powerful Eurocopter Squirrel emergency helicopter and in 1994 the Squirrel was replaced with a twin-engine MBB/Kawasaki BK 117.
In 1997, the first Sikorsky S-76 emergency helicopter was acquired, the fleet has expanded to include a total of 5 rescue helicopters.

Helicopters

NEST currently operate 5 Sikorsky S-76 helicopters in Search and Rescue, Medevac, and Hospital transfer roles from its base at St John's ambulance centre, adjacent to Kensington Park. There have been several helicopter upgrades since the formation of NEST in 1988, including a Bell 206B Jetranger, a Eurocopter Squirrel, and a MBB/Kawasaki BK 117.
The Northland Rescue Helicopter has a longer range, is faster and has more room inside than any other rescue helicopter in New Zealand. Its operational range covers a radius of 270 km from its base, making it suitable for all of Northland, extending south beyond Auckland, and offxshore work. The helicopters are set up to allow two pilots, two patients on horizontal stretchers and four medical support staff to occupy the cabin.

Fundraising

Funds for NEST are collected through annual appeals, sponsored by Northpower and Top Energy.