Work is underway on an Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust hangar add-on that will help shore up emergency services in the region.

The 60-square metre annex will provide rest facilities for members of the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team, for relief crew, and for any extras seconded in times of emergency.

“We have a fantastic team but to ensure they get their leave entitlements our ops company, Search and Rescue Services (SRSL), often sends relief pilots, crewmen or critical care flight paramedics,” says EHRT chair Patrick Willock.

The hangar does have space for on-roster crew but those visiting need somewhere to rest while they are off-duty and motel bills had come at quite some cost for the trust, he says.

“The new annex will ensure they are comfortable and well cared for, while offering more options when our region needs the support of additional crew.”

Construction started after the site was blessed by Rongowhakaata kaumatua Stan Pardoe.

And trust member/project manager Murray Ferris says when the building is finished – likely by the end of October – both it and the hangar will be emergency-ready.

“We applied extra learnings from Cyclone Gabrielle which, in the first instance, saw team set up StarLink communications in addition to their satellite phone system.”

The hangar already had a water system and generator set-up to create a working home-base in trying circumstances, Mr Ferris said.

“We are grateful to now also be connected to the Gisborne Airport generator to shore up that resilience. It’s all part of helping ensure the rescue helicopter service can operate when it is at all possible.”

Constructed by local company Dawson Building, the around $360,000 build is paid for by a post-Cyclone Gabrielle Regional Resilience grant from Health NZ’s The Ambulance Team (TAT), with remaining funds earmarked for purpose-built helipads along the East Coast.

Further TAT funding will pay for the establishment of an electronic path to support the use of an Instrument Flight Rules-rated helicopter to ensure the team can safely provide service in challenging weather conditions.

“During Gabrielle it became clear that the hangar is an important facility to host both SRSL teams and other visiting emergency workers,” Mr Willock says. “This work will bed-in its usefulness for when our community is in need.”

The construction of the new annex means the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team can also steal some space for themselves.

When the EHRT hangar opened in 2014 it had a one bedroom for the service’s single dedicated pilot, who was at the time supported by St John paramedics.

But over the next decade the crew grew to a full complement of 12, with a team of three rostered on at all times.

“Some time ago the upstairs meeting room was divided to provide two extra rest spaces and a bathroom and the new annex will add another four bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchenette, Murray Ferris said.

“Now, the original downstairs bedroom will be used to expand the team’s office and staff space, which has been under pressure.

“These changes will make the hangar even more fit-for-purpose so they can focus on their critical, life-saving work.”

CAPTION: TEAM-WORK: Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust chair Patrick Willock (left), Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter base manager/CCFP Richard Curtis (centre) and Dawson Building owner Peter Dawson are pleased to see work start on new rest facilities at EHRT’s Gisborne hangar.