Firefighters join rescue helicopter crew to fly to emergencies in isolated Northland

Firefighter Martin Valent, front, senior firefighter Fraser Wright, left, Mark Going St John flight medic, station officer Mark Wirihana, senior firefighter James Hoey and Dean Voelkerling pilot.

In a bid to save more lives Northland firefighters will make it to emergencies even quicker thanks to an initiative that will see them fly to serious incidents in isolated areas.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand and the Northland Rescue Helicopter have teamed up to provide a faster way of getting firefighters to incidents where people need to be cut out quickly so speedy medical care could follow.

The helicopter crew will fly St John flight medics along with two firefighters to incidents where people are trapped and need to be cut free.

It will be particularly beneficial in remote areas of the region where it could take volunteer fire crews on the ground longer to reach.

Experienced rescue helicopter pilot Dean Voelkerling said there were a number of emergencies the crew had been called to that patients would have benefited from a fire team being on the scene as soon as possible.

"It's going to be great for the patients and that's the whole reason we are here and exist," he said.

"We are going into the summer season where there are lots more people on the roads and heading to some remote beaches. Crashes do happen and sometimes in the oddest places."

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Northland commander Brad Mosby said the firefighters flown to the scene provided immediate response and extra advice and support for volunteer crews.

"It will mean quick intervention which is fantastic for communities and visitors to Northland."

The response would not be limited to just motor vehicle crashes and could be for industrial incidents or farming incidents.

He said officers based at Whangarei station had trained with the helicopter crew and were familiar with the battery operated cutter and spreader machinery.

"These Whangarei staff will be supporting volunteers in the field," he said.

Mr Mosby said when a call came in a fire appliance would take the two firefighters to the helicopter base on Western Hills Dr.

"This enhances the service we already provide. There are pockets of isolated communities in Northland this option gives us extra capabilities."

St John Northland acting district operations manager Wally Mitchell said it was always a priority to fly paramedics onboard.

Once at a scene it would be up to firefighters to make it back to base especially if patients were being flown for medical care.

A cache of tools including battery operated cutters and a set of spreaders, plus spare batteries, will be kept at the rescue helicopter base. While it is a first in Northland firefighters in Nelson work with the local rescue helicopter in a similar way.