6 QAS Paramedics, 2 Doctors, a Pilot and 2 Air Crewmen will begin training today at RACQ CareFlight’s Toowoomba Hangar.

With CareFlight South West’s new twin-engine helicopter due to touch down in Toowoomba on Friday 14 December, the not-for-profit organisation has recruited additional crew anticipating a 30% increase in jobs.

“The Bell 230 helicopter will certainly improve the South West service.  The aircraft is a twin-engine machine meaning patients can be carried day or night,” said Andrew Riches, CareFlight South West Senior Base Pilot.

The Queensland Ambulance Service has seconded 6 Paramedics to the CareFlight South West service.  The Paramedics play an integral part in CareFlight’s air-medical operation and have done now for 15 years.

“They are based at the Toowoomba Hangar, but can also be tasked on road jobs when they are not on a helicopter job,” said Andrew Riches.

The Critical Care Doctors are from the local area and the Air Crewmen are all very experienced loadmasters from the Military Base at Oakey.

The new crew members will be put through aircraft and medical equipment familiarisation, flight testing and multiple safety briefings.

“This is an exciting phase for RACQ CareFlight. A year ago we showed our commitment to the region basing a single-engine Squirrel AS350 here part time, now we are going one better.  Next week the service will be given a huge boost with the arrival of a twin-engine aircraft,” said Andrew Riches.

When - Thursday December 6, 9am-12pm

Where - RACQ CareFlight’s Toowoomba Hangar, Toowoomba Airport.

Media Contact Renee Buckingham 0421 381 023.