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), Crewmen and Pilots. Each member of the team brings a specialist skillset, enhancing the safety and efficiency of rescue missions.
Team
Vanessa Richmond
Group Manager
Leads Philips Search & Rescue Trust and oversees the Fundraising, Marketing, Administration & Finance teams
Sharni Weir
Fundraising & Marketing Manager
Leads all areas of Fundraising & Marketing. Oversees the delivery of fundraising, marketing & communication strategies
Angela Cranfield
Finance Manager
Oversees and supports all things related to finance
Kirstin Tye
Project Manager
Leads all relevant PSRT business projects, whilst providing support to the wider team
Renee Bosley
Office Manager
Oversees and supports all things related to administration
Milla Ware
Marketing Assistant
Supports the everyday functions of the Fundraising and Marketing team
Jenny Barris
Finance Processor
Processes donations that are made across all bases
Millie Armory
Administration Support
Supports the everyday fundraising & administration functions of Fundraising, Marketing & Administration
Ayshea Abela
Partnerships Coordinator
Supports our sponsors and corporate donor relationships
Catherine Cook
Community Fundraising Coordinator
Supports community fundraisers, provides fundraising support and looks after our bequest program.
Keryn Peddle
Donor Care Coordinator
First point of contact for our generous donors, providing support with whatever they need
Laura Hamilton
Database Coordinator
Undertakes the day-to-day coordination of our database and provides support to our donors
Bridget Ross
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Manages social media accounts, content creation and communicates with supporters via campaigns & media
Gillian Crompton
Marketing & Patient Coordinator
Looks after our community of patients and families, sharing stories with our family of supporters
Helicopters
Specifications & Equipment
The Aerocool Rescue Helicopter is a Kawasaki BK117. This single-pilot twin-engine helicopter has commonly been used as a rescue helicopter due to its speed, reliability and ability to fly close to cliff faces which makes it the best aircraft for all types of missions.
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.
Clayton - Pilot
Liam - Pilot and Base Manager
Todd - Pilot
Hendry - Pilot
Your Crewmen
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.
Ben - Crewman
Bill - Crewman
Iain - Crewman
Kat - Crewman
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.
Janine - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Andy - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Dave - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Felicity - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Tony - Critical Care Flight Paramedic
Your Operations Team
Muir - Medical Director
Barry - Pilot Training Manager
Charlie - Chief Pilot
Chris - Chief Operating Officer
Graeme - Clinical Operations Manager
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 and fixed-wing planes, 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 and fixed-wing planes, the service provides air health and rescue services free of charge to the public on a no-fault basis.
