Northland Emergency Services Trust
Encyclopedia
The Northland Emergency Services Trust, often abbreviated NEST, based in Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...

, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. It was formed in 1988 with a leased helicopter, and now operates with two purchased helicopters.

It currently operates 2 Sikorsky S-76
Sikorsky S-76
The Sikorsky S-76 is an American medium-size commercial utility helicopter. The S-76 is powered by two turboshaft engines, which drive both the main and tail rotors, each with four blades...

A helicopters (known as Helimed-1 and Helimed-2) in Search and Rescue, Medevac, and Hospital transfer roles from its base at St John's ambulance centre, adjacent to Kensington Park. There have been several helicopter upgrades since the formation of NEST in 1988, including a Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...

B Jetranger, a Eurocopter Squirrel
Eurocopter Ecureuil
The Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil is a single-engined light helicopter originally manufactured by Aérospatiale . The AS350 is marketed in North America as the AStar...

, and a MBB/Kawasaki BK 117.

The Northland Electricity Helicopter has a longer range (3hrs 10mins standard or 5hrs 30mins with spare tank fitted), is faster (155 knots) and has more room inside than any other rescue helicopter in New Zealand. Its operational range covers a radius of 270km from its base, making it suitable for all of Northland, extending south beyond Auckland, and off shore work. The helicopters are set up to allow two pilots, 2 patients on horizontal stretchers and four medical support staff to occupy the cabin comfortably.

Funds for NEST are collected through annual appeals, sponsored by Northpower and TrustPower
TrustPower
TrustPower Limited is a New Zealand electricity generation and electricity retailing company, listed on the New Zealand stock exchange.TrustPower is New Zealand's fifth largest electricity generator and the fourth largest electricity retailer , serving 260,000 customers throughout New Zealand...

(covering marketing of the campaign), which ensures that each dollar donated goes directly to the helicopter.

External links

  • NEST Homepage (official website, including some of the latest callouts attended)
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