Northland Emergency Services - Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand
S 35° 42.262 E 174° 18.745
60H E 256845 N 6045511
St Johns Ambulance and the Northland Rescue Helicopters both operate from Western Hills Drive, right next Kensington Park.
Waymark Code: WMA01P
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 10/24/2010
Views: 5
The Northland Emergency Services Trust, often abbreviated NEST, based in Whangarei, New Zealand. It was formed in 1988 with a leased helicopter, and now operates with two purchased helicopters.
It currently operates 2 Sikorsky S-76A helicopters (known as Helimed-1 and Helimed-2) 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 Electricity Helicopter has a longer range (3hrs 10mins standard or 5hrs 30mins with spare tank fitted), is faster (155 knots) and has more room inside than any other rescue helicopter in New Zealand. Its operational range covers a radius of 270km from its base, making it suitable for all of Northland, extending south beyond Auckland, and off shore work. The helicopters are set up to allow two pilots, 2 patients on horizontal stretchers and four medical support staff to occupy the cabin comfortably.