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National aeromedical not-for-profit CareFlight have teamed up with Tasmania-based Helicopter Resources (HeliRes) in a bid to transform emergency helicopter services for Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Government has approached the market to upgrade and enhance the emergency helicopter services across the state. This new and substantially improved helicopter capability will support Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police and land and maritime based Search and Rescue services across the State.

CareFlight’s strategic partnership with Helicopter Resources in the bid brings national experience and local expertise together for the benefit of residents and visitors across Tasmania. The partnership presents a world-class solution that delivers innovation and industry best practice while enhancing safety and improved availability.

Importantly, the organisations share key values which underpin their success serving Australians. “We agreed from the outset on the joint commitment to put Tasmanians and Tasmania first.” – Helicopter Resources, Managing Director – Bill English.

One of Australia’s most trusted organisations, CareFlight is a ‘for-purpose’ charity that operates with a mission to save lives, speed recovery and serve the community.

“If successful in our bid, our commitment to putting Tasmania first will see CareFlight reinvest back into the community, ensuring Tasmania has a world-leading emergency air services capability supported through a local Centre of Excellence in pre-hospital critical care and rotary wing operations and training, delivering new career pathways for Tasmanians.” – CareFlight CEO, Mick Frewen.

CareFlight started in Sydney with a single helicopter in 1986, the first in Australia to operate with doctors on board. Today CareFlight deliver services nationally on helicopters, jet aircraft, turbo-prop planes and road vehicles. Helicopter Resources started Australia’s first Helicopter Air Ambulance in 1971 in Victoria and have been permanently operating in Tasmania since 1985, including operating the Tasmanian rescue helicopter on behalf of Tasmania Police and Ambulance Tasmania from 1985 to 2000, with over 30 staff, 9 helicopters, bases and offices in Cambridge and Launceston, Helicopter Resources is the leading provider of helicopter services state-wide for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

Combining with Helicopter Resources’ demonstrated expertise in delivering rotary wing solutions in Tasmania and Antarctica on behalf of Government, The CareFlight Team will leverage the extensive existing Tasmanian base and logistical capability this partnership brings.

In Tasmania, Helicopter Resources presently supports multiple Tasmanian State Government entities including the following: Parks and Wildlife service, Sustainable Timber Tasmania, Tasmania Fire Service, Hydro Tasmania, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment

Together CareFlight and Helicopter Resources truly deliver a benchmark in delivery of integrated aeromedical and aerial law enforcement capability in Australia and have been industry leaders in innovation over decades.

CareFlight is one of the most experienced providers of emergency air services in Australia, with more than 50 winch rescues last reporting year. During the November 2022 floods, one CareFlight aircraft and team conducted 17 rescues in a single day for which the crew were recognised internationally.

CareFlight is proud to support and invest in the communities in which we operate. We support local business and provide local employment wherever we go, having a knock-on effect for local economies and creating lasting positive social impact.

CareFlight has also supported the Tasmanian community for over 10 years through delivery of our free “first responder” training helping to build resilience in communities and keeping Tasmanians safe.

CareFlight has provided training for hundreds of community members and more than 1,200 emergency service first responders from Tasmania Police, the State Emergency Service (SES), Tasmania Fire Service (TFS), Ambulance Tasmania, Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania (VAOAT), Surf Life Saving and Tasmania Parks and Wildlife. CareFlight has also trained University of Tasmania (UTAS) medical students through CareFlight’s Pre-Hospital Trauma Course.