>>> THE PHILIPS SEARCH & RESCUE TRUST

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust operates and manages the air ambulance and rescue helicopter bases in Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and Palmerston North. It is a non-profit charitable trust governed by an independent board of trustees.

HISTORY

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust was established in Taupo in early 1985 with the funds from a grant from Philips NZ Limited as a legacy to mark the loss of its Managing Director and Company Promotions Officer who tragically died in a light aeroplane accident near the Desert Road in October 1984.

SERVICES PROVIDED

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust provides inter hospital transport of critically ill or injured patients for specialist medical care, that has included motor vehicle accidents, aviation accidents, search and rescue, farm accidents and medical conditions such as asthma, cardiac arrest, etc. The rescue helicopter service is crewed by St John Ambulance paramedics, hospital doctors and flight nurses.

A significant number of trauma patients die from treatable causes 1-2 hours after injury. Early resuscitation gives the patient the best chance of survival. With a fully equipped rescue helicopter bringing Paramedic Officers and/or Medical staff to the scene, resuscitation can begin sooner and continue throughout the flight back to hospital.

Air travel drastically reduces travel time to accident scenes, thus helping to provide rapid response expert medical care. Time saved in air travel saves lives and reduces the chances of long term disabilities. Less time in transport also means medical personnel are back at the base sooner for any emergencies that may occur.

FUNDING

Due to financial support received from the community and sponsorship, the rescue helicopter is a free service to the public. The rescue helicopter is almost completely reliant on the goodwill of the community to keep it a free service to all who may require the service in the future. Consequently the rescue helicopter can be seen as a community funded resource.

The rescue helicopter service operates on a large budget. Funding for the service is primarily raised from the following four areas:

•  Operations income from ACC and Hospitals

•  Community sponsorship

•  Clubs & Other Groups

•  Friends of the Rescue Helicopter. A scheme by which the public can support their local Air Ambulance or Rescue Helicopter and in return be provided with special privileges.

In the past donations from clubs and groups have allowed our service to purchase special items of equipment. Some clubs and groups prefer to raise funds for a specific item, however we also encourage donations to help cover the day to day operation of the aircraft.

GOVERNANCE

The Philips Search and Rescue Trust that operates and manages the air ambulance in Hamilton and rescue helicopters in Tauranga, Rotorua, Taupo and Palmerston North is governed by an independent board of trustees, and is a charitable trust approved by the Inland Revenue Department.

View Trustees profiles