March 1, 2023
Bundaberg’s RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter service marked a significant milestone on Wednesday, clocking up 25 years of delivering aeromedical care in the Wide Bay and Burnett regions.
The milestone was celebrated at the Bundaberg LifeFlight base, where supporters had an opportunity to go behind the scenes at the base and hear about the impact of the service in the region.
The Bundaberg service began on March 1, 1998, after the then-Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service recognised a need for the Wide Bay-Burnett to have its own dedicated aeromedical rescue chopper.
A base was established and a rescue helicopter, which at the time was a Bell Jetranger, soon became operational as the Energex Rescue helicopter.
After an initial three-year trial justified the need, the State Government committed additional funding to help continue the Bundaberg service and upgrade the aircraft to a Bell Longranger.
Demand in the local region continued to grow, sparking multiple aircraft upgrades over the years, including the introduction of the current Bell 412 aircraft.
“It seems like it was only yesterday the service began, I can’t believe it’s been 25 years,” RACQ LifeFlight Rescue pilot Peter Marris said.
“Seeing where we have come from in those initial days starting with a Bell Jetranger, with only a pilot and paramedic on board the chopper, to where we’ve come now being based in a multi-million dollar facility that’s been purpose-built, with a multi-engine, instrument rated aircraft, which can fly any time of day or night.
“We’ve also now got critical care doctors on board the helicopter working with the QAS flight paramedics, so it’s just evolved into a fully mature and essential service.”
There were a number of name changes along the way, too.
In 2009, it was known as the AGL Action Rescue helicopter.
In 2013, with the merger of Queensland’s two largest rescue helicopter services – LifeFlight (then known as CareFlight) operating from the Gold Coast and Darling Downs, and the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service – there was another name change.
Finally in 2016, the entire fleet, including Bundaberg was renamed RACQ LifeFlight Rescue.
With mission taskings increasing each year, the operation outgrew its original base and in 2020 the helicopter and crew moved into a new, purpose-built facility at Bundaberg Airport.
The Bundaberg rescue chopper has flown to the aid of thousands of people in times of crisis.
During the past 10 years alone, the LifeFlight Rescue helicopter crew has performed 2724 critical missions, resulting in more than 2300 people helped.
(Photo: AGL Action Rescue Helicopter)
