MAC Rescue Helicopter

The Rescue Helicopter has been a familiar sight to SA Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers for many years.

The helicopter service is a shared resource between South Australian Government Emergency Services agencies.  Each year the service performs over 700 missions  including getting medical teams to crash sites, transporting seriously ill country patients to city hospitals, tracking cars in high speed chases, searching for people, boats and drug crops and spotting, mapping and water bombing fires.

The CFS calls on one or more of the Rescue Helicopters during the fire danger season to act as aerial platforms from which to observe and coordinate aerial fire fighting activities.  The helicopters can also be fitted with fire bombing buckets to help supplement the CFS's regular fire bombing fleet.

The contract for the delivery of Rescue Helicopter services has been awarded to Australian-owned company, Australian Helicopters.  Sponsorship for the service is now being provided by the Motor Accident Commission (MAC).

The service operates out of a purpose-built facility at the Adelaide Airport that serves as a base for the team of pilots, crewmen, engineers and administrators.

The MAC Rescue Helicopter Fleet

The fleet consists of:

EC130 - Rescue 53
Single engine. Key missions include: Police surveillance and patrols with the capacity to carry a STAR Group team search and rescue over land and water CFS command and control plotting of bush fires aero medical back-up (1 patient) neonatal retrieval (takes cot).
Bell 412 - Rescue 51 Medium twin. Key missions include: aero medical retrieval (up to 4 patients) neonatal retrieval (with cot and lifter) winch rescue passenger transport
BK117 - Rescue 52 Light twin. Key missions include: aero medical retrieval (up to 2 patients) neonatal retrieval (takes cot) high speed chase in poor weather - due to infra-red capability winch rescue back-up CFS command and control