Australia’s SAAS boosts aerial emergency response with new Bell 412EP
An additional helicopter has joined South Australia’s emergency aerial fleet, providing a boost in response times and operational capacity to help those in need
The Bell 412EP helicopter is the third helicopter now available to SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) for critical emergency response.
As part of a A$150 million state government commitment to bolster emergency helicopter services, the aircraft will be configured for medical operations like the current aircraft – capable of travelling at 220km/h and with a range of up to 600km.
The SAAS aircraft joins the State Rescue Helicopter Service (SRHS), a 24/7 service shared with South Australia Police (SAPOL) which specializes in air medical retrievals from rural hospitals and accident scenes, search and rescue missions and airborne law enforcement.
It follows SAPOL receiving a new faster and quieter helicopter, an Airbus H145, in July as part of the state government’s investment to support community safety.
The brand new twin-engine SAPOL helicopter will replace the existing aircraft, which is more than 30 years old.
All four aircraft – the additional Bell 412 helicopter, two existing primary medical aircraft and a new SAPOL helicopter – will be delivered by Babcock Australasia.
The expanded aerial fleet has seen four new pilots hired to deliver an extra line of flying, enabling three helicopters to be airborne at once.
New engineering resources and replacement of outdated equipment are also included in the government’s investment.
Chloe Fox
Chloe Fox is an Senior Editorial Assistant for Voyageur Group, joining in 2024. She writes for AirMed&Rescue and ITIJ, covering a range of topics including international travel and health insurance, medical assistance provision, and air medical transportation. Chloe holds a BA (Hons) in English and an MA in English Literature from the University of Bristol.