The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter provides a 24-hour air emergency medical service to the Coastal Bay of Plenty Region in the North Island. Since the service was founded in 2000, it has touched the lives of more than a thousand patients.
Specially equipped for rescues, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter attends search and rescue missions, operations involving a winch, night operations, time-critical inter-hospital transfers, and provide assistance to NZ Fire, Land Search and Rescue and the Armed Offender Squad.
These missions wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and skill of the incredible team of men and women who make up the crew of the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. The flight workforce consists of full-time experienced Critical Care Flight Paramedics (CCFP), Air Crew Officers and Pilots. Each member of the team brings a specialist skillset, enhancing the safety and efficiency of rescue missions.
Central Air Ambulance Rescue Limited (CAARL) and Search and Rescue Services Ltd (SRSL) are registered charitable companies that operate 8 rescue helicopter bases covering the Central and Southern North Island, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. To find out more, go to https://www.caarl.org.nz/
Team
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Vanessa Richmond
General Manager
Leads Philips Search & Rescue Trust and oversees the Fundraising, Marketing, Administration & Finance teams
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Sharni Weir
Head of Fundraising and Marketing
Leads all areas of Fundraising & Marketing. Oversees the delivery of fundraising, marketing & communication strategies
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Angela Cranfield
Finance Manager
Oversees and supports all things related to finance
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Renee Bosley
Fundraising & Marketing Executive
Supports the Fundraising & Marketing Manager, funding requirements, events and oversees fundraising campaigns
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Jenny Barris
Finance Processor
Processes donations that are made across all bases
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Ayshea Abela
Partnerships Coordinator
Supports our sponsors and corporate donor relationships
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Kaia MacGregor
Donor Care Coordinator
First point of contact for our generous donors, providing support with whatever they need
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Laura Hamilton
Database Coordinator
Undertakes the day-to-day coordination of our database and provides support to our donors
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Olivia Martinovich
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Manages social media accounts, content creation and communicates with supporters via campaigns & media
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Gillian Crompton
Marketing Executive
Looks after our community of patients and families, sharing stories with our family of supporters
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Kelly Buchan
Community Fundraising Coordinator
Supports community fundraisers, provides fundraising support and looks after our legacy program.
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Milla Ware
Fundraising & Marketing Assistant
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
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Millie Armory
Fundraising Support
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Crew
Your Pilots
With proven experience in a diverse range of flying conditions, and logging thousands of flight hours, a rescue helicopter pilot is trusted with the safety of all on board.
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Liam - Pilot and Base Manager
Clayton - Pilot
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Todd - Pilot
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Hendry - Pilot
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Ben - Pilot
Your Air Crew Officer
As the extra eyes and ears for the Pilot and Critical Care Flight Paramedic during a mission, safety on board and around the aircraft is their priority including winch operation, navigation, obstacle identification and safe landing during flights.
Dave - Air Crew Officer
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Kara - Air Crew Officer
Kat - Air Crew Officer
Your Critical Care Flight Paramedic
A critical care flight paramedic is trained to perform advanced medical intervention and life-saving procedures within a rescue helicopter environment.
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Janine - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Andy - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
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Dave - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
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Tony - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
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Muir - Medical Director
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Barry - Pilot Training Manager
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Charlie - Chief Pilot
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Chris - Chief Operating Officer
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Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
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Hugo - Clinical Development Manager
History of the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter
The Aerocool Rescue started out as the Tranz Rail Rescue Helicopter, founded in 2000. TECT and Trustpower joined up to become principal sponsors of the helicopter in 2004, and the service was renamed the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter.
In 2007, the Ian Pain Memorial Hangar was built, sponsored by Vern and Barbara Pain. In April 2018, the helicopter was upgraded from the single-engine Squirrel to the twin-engine BK117.
By 2019, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Intensive Care Paramedics, and TECT had become the sole principal sponsor, giving it the name it was known as between 2019 & 2022: The TECT Rescue Helicopter. In November 2022, it was renamed the Areocool Rescue Helicopter as Aerocool became the principal sponsor. Since its inception, the crew have undertaken over 4,100 missions.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
In 2007, the Ian Pain Memorial Hangar was built, sponsored by Vern and Barbara Pain. In April 2018, the helicopter was upgraded from the single-engine Squirrel to the twin-engine BK117.
By 2019, the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter had employed full-time Crewmen and Intensive Care Paramedics, and TECT had become the sole principal sponsor, giving it the name it was known as between 2019 & 2022: The TECT Rescue Helicopter. In November 2022, it was renamed the Areocool Rescue Helicopter as Aerocool became the principal sponsor. Since its inception, the crew have undertaken over 4,100 missions.
Philips Search & Rescue Trust (PSRT) is the charity responsible for fundraising and promotion of the North Island’s largest pool of community rescue helicopters, including the Aerocool Rescue Helicopter. Encompassing a fleet of rescue helicopters, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.