Snowy Hydro SouthCare
| Capital Region Retrieval Service | |
The SouthCare Bell 412 Helicopter
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|
| Formation | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Search and rescue, patient retrieval |
| Headquarters | Symonston, Australian Capital Territory |
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Region served
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Australian Capital Territory, Southeastern New South Wales |
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CEO
|
Carol Bennett |
| 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, with medical crews provided by the Capital Region Retrieval Service, a part of the ACT Government Health Directorate. 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. In January 2013, the helicopter performed its 5000th mission since the service began operations in 1998.
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.
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.
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