Rescue Choppa for sick kids

When a seven-year-old critically ill boy is flown from Nambour Hospital to Brisbane, he probably doesn’t notice the expensive piece of equipment he’s flying in. But he’s sure to find comfort from hugging Choppa, a small brown lion.

Choppa is part of a specialist crew which includes a helicopter pilot, crewman and paramedics providing a world-class medical service to south-east Queensland.

You’ve probably noticed them buzzing in the skies above Coolum Beach – it’s the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter, a flying emergency room staffed by highly qualified intensive care paramedics and emergency doctors and nurses for specialist missions such as neo-natal and paediatric missions.

But it’s the little things that make a difference to a sick kid, such as a stuffed lion called Choppa.

And the fact that it’s a free service to the public.

Last financial year the service responded to 230 medical missions on the Sunshine Coast alone, representing a cost of $1.15 million.

With two helicopters based at Sunshine Coast airport and one at Bundaberg, crews are called out to car accidents or hospital transfers requiring urgent specialist care, as well as search and rescue on land or water.

During the recent floods across Queensland, the helicopters completed 127 missions over a three-week period – 45 of these were directly related to the floods, such as winching people off roofs.

Business Development Manager Colin Brown said all three helicopters were out on missions during the floods. “We also brought in crews from their days off.”

He said the aim of the Helicopter Rescue Service was to get a patient as quickly and as safely to hospital for the best outcome. “We have extremely highly-skilled people here and some of the best pilots in Australia.”

Colin says it costs $7.6 million to run this service 24/7 over a region which stretches from the Town of 1770 in the north, to Redcliffe in the south and from Fraser Island to west of Kingaroy.

As a non-profit organization, the service also relies on its team of volunteers who help with general administration and promotional activities, such as fundraising events.

“We are owned by the community and rely on their support,” said Colin. “Every cent that we receive is spent on keeping the community safe by providing specialist care where needed.”

And that specialist care often includes a small brown lion called Choppa.

To find out more about the Helicopter Rescue Service or to volunteer visit www.actionrescue.com.au. Free tours of the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter hangar at Sunshine Coast Airport are also available to businesses, community groups and schools.

Photo: Air crewman Scott Reeman with Choppa, about to fly on a mission to transport a seven-year-old boy from Nambour Hospital to Brisbane. Scott joined the Helicopter Rescue Service in 1996 as a volunteer and part-time casual. Since 2004 he has been a full-time Senior Aircrew Officer at the Maroochy base.