Barry Vincent never knows what his day will bring.
The Rotorua rescue helicopter pilot can be sent to Auckland or Whanganui, wherever there is an emergency.
As pilot for the Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter, he provides a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week service. To help with ongoing costs, the Ministry of Health has donated $53,995to the service.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay presented the ministry's cheque to Mr Vincent at the helicopter hangar yesterday.
Mr Vincent said it was good to receive support when times were tough financially.
"This is excellent. It's such a big donation and we know times are tough and still we get great support.
"A huge amount of money is needed to maintain the aircraft and resources such as night-vision goggles are expensive," he said.
"Undoubtedly, these help to save lives and there is no price on life."
Mr Vincent said he didn't have a normal work day because he never knew what kind of emergency he would be called to attend.
"No two days are the same. First week of June we had no call-outs, then in the past two days we've had three."
On average, the Rotorua service was called out three to four times a week.
"We go wherever we are needed."
Mr Vincent said he spent a lot of time at the base doing administration work, cleaning, training and on public relations, but as soon as his pager went off, he dropped everything.
Mr McClay said he was a big supporter of the service and wrote to the Minister of Health Tony Ryall to see if funds were available for BayTrust Rescue Helicopter.
He said it was important it continued to be a free service.
Ursula Dunn, who needed the help of the helicopter earlier in the year when she dislocated her hip on White Island, said she would always be thankful to the service.
"The service was great, the paramedics and the whole team are really angels in disguise."
