HeliMods was honoured to host Queensland Premier, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, the Hon Craig Crawford MP at our facility today to launch the State’s new AW139 capability.
HeliMods is currently fitting out two new AW139 helicopters for the State of Queensland, which will have multiple roles including Emergency Medical Service, Search and Rescue and Public Safety.
The Premier said: “What I’m incredibly proud of is that the technology is being developed right here in Queensland – for Queenslanders. Everybody here on the Sunshine Coast should be incredibly proud of the work that Will and his team are doing here – Queenslanders supporting other Queenslanders, you can’t get a better story than this.”
Minister Crawford said: “As a North Queensland Member of Parliament and also as a former paramedic, I have seen first hand what great difference assets like these two aircraft make. A $46M investment from our Government, they will make a difference, they will save lives, not only in Townsville but all across the North-North West and the Far North. Very, very proud moment as a North Queenslander, to come here and see the work that HeliMods are doing.”
HeliMods Founder and MD Will Shrapnel said: “It’s a pretty proud moment for our team, a Sunshine Coast business delivering this sort of capability. These aircraft are just stacked with technology – it’s really everything that almost an intensive care unit would have, but airborne. To put it in context, these aircraft are world-class, they are world-leading in technology. The State of Queensland now is leading the way nationally and internationally on capability in this class, so we should all be very proud.”
Systems being integrated into the aircraft by HeliMods include stretcher systems, medical equipment and storage, medical oxygen, operating theatre quality lighting and medical electrical systems. The fully integrated and modular solution is also compatible with neonatal incubators and zero lift loading technology, ready for safe and efficient critical care patient transfers. The two aircraft are being delivered to the State of Queensland for operation by Queensland Government Air and will become operational in March and April 2019 to service the communities of Far North Queensland.
