History of CareFlight Group Queensland
2011
Three additional Bell 412 helicopters were purchased taking CareFlight's rotary wing fleet to seven aircraft. Two of these helicopters were bought for a new emergency medical evacuation contract servicing the oil and gas industry within the Surat Basin region. A new CareFlight base was also built in Roma to cater for the partnership with CareFlight crews on standby 24/7.
Night Vision Goggles were introduced to the organisation.
The third Bell 412 helicopter was purchased for RACQ CareFlight Rescue's Toowoomba based community service.
CareFlight Doctors are now working on board the AGL Action Rescue helicopter out of the Sunshine Coast and the Royal Flying Doctors' aircraft out of Rockhampton. The placement of Doctors at both of these locations means that CareFlight Doctors are now officially working on board all of the state's emergency medical aircraft on behalf of the Queensland Government.
2010
CareFlight acquires New Zealand company South Pacific Air Ambulance.
RACQ CareFlight South West begins 24/7 operations from its Toowoomba Base.
2009
RACQ CareFlight purchases a second twin-engine Bell 412 Helicopter.
CareFlight opens its Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Academy, equipped with a state-of-the-art flight simulator, winch training facility and classrooms.
CTA begins to offer formal qualifications in Aviation Rescue.
2008
CMS Air Ambulance adds another Lear jet to its fleet.
Another Air Ambulance is added to the fleet.
2007
The brand CareFlight Group Queensland was developed to encompass all of CareFlight Queensland’s operations.
With help from the local community and businesses of south west Queensland, CareFlight purchases a Bell 230 helicopter for the Toowoomba based rescue service.
2006
CareFlight expands its community helicopter service by establishing a part-time service in Toowoomba, RACQ CareFlight South West.
CTS wins a major contract with the Department of Defence to provide Helicopter Underwater Escape Training Australia-wide.
2005
CMS secures a contract with Queensland Health to provide CareFlight Doctors to both fixed and rotary wing air medical services right throughout Queensland.
RACQ CareFlight is accredited as a training facility by the Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine.
2004
CMS Air Ambulance was established to perform domestic and international jet retrievals. A Lear jet is based at CareFlight’s Gold Coast hangar.
One of CMS Air Ambulance's Lear jets at the Gold Coast hangar.
2003
CMS is awarded accreditation with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, Australia and New Zealand College of Anesthetists, and the College of Intensive Care Medicine.
2001
RACQ CareFlight’s in-house call centre is established to reduce the costs associated with the sale of the iconic CareFlight Bears.
CareFlight moves to the Gold Coast Airport in a combined hangar and office facility.
CareFlight establishes an independent company - CareFlight Medical Services (CMS) to integrate critical care doctors into the broader air medical environment, and to the Queensland Co-ordination Centre (QCC).
_190x129.jpg)
Careflight's combined hangar and office facility at Gold Coast Airport
2000
RACQ CareFlight becomes a quality-endorsed company to standard ISO9001. Today CareFlight continues to be the only rescue helicopter service in Queensland with this endorsement.
1995
RACQ CareFlight purchases its first twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 412, which is able to fly greater distances and operate safely at night and in all weather. (picture)
CareFlight employs its own doctors to work as part of the crew full-time.
CareFlight's first twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 412
1994
Critical care doctors joined the helicopter crew on a part-time basis.
The service obtains accreditation as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and CareFlight Training Services (CTS) is established as the training arm of the service. All profits are directed back into the community helicopter service.
1993
RACQ becomes the major sponsor and our name is changed to RACQ CareFlight (picture)
The iconic CareFlight Bears are introduced to help raise vital funds for the service
RACQ becomes major sponsor
1992
The service changes its name to CareFlight Queensland. The flight region is expanded to cover southern Queensland and northern New South Wales
1991
Paramedics become full-time crew members, seconded from the Queensland Ambulance Services (QAS).
1987
The service’s helicopter is upgraded to an AS350BA Squirrel (picture)
1981
The Gold Coast Helicopter Rescue Service is formed and performs patrols in a Jet Ranger helicopter.
Gold Coast Helicopter Rescue Service's Jet Ranger helicopter