He might be base manager but critical care flight paramedic Richard Curtis still had to share a helmet with another member of the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter team.

“On one occasion we were rostered on together and since we can’t both fit in the same helmet, I had to squeeze into one used by an off-duty crewman,” he says.

“Because our team has expanded the need for suitable equipment has grown, too, but there is often a lag-time of months between ordering and delivery.

“So we’re really looking forward to receiving the two customised helmets we need to make sure all team members can work comfortably and safely, wherever they are tasked to fly.”

That delivery date has got a bit closer with the New Zealand Community Trust’s approval of a $10,000 grant for the Eastland Helicopter Rescue Trust (EHRT).

That will meet most of the cost of two specialised Alpha Eagle Dual Flight Helmets, which come complete with visors, communications, and a noise-cancelling feature.

“These helmets in particular are easily adjustable for better protection and that’s important as there’s a big risk of hearing loss in a loud environment like a helicopter,” Richard Curtis says.

“It’s also critical to helping reduce fatigue for our pilots, crewmen and critical care flight paramedics, especially during prolonged flights.”

Pressure to secure new helmets grew in recent months as the Eastland Rescue Helicopter team expanded from eight to 12 to meet an ever-growing work programme . . . the 360 missions completed in 2023 an increase of more than 45 percent on the year before.

“We aim to make sure our fantastic team members have access to the best equipment so they can do the best job, but we couldn’t do it without support from our community and agencies like the New Zealand Community Trust,” says EHRT treasurer Ian Parker.

“This important investment takes us to the point where our entire team will have the customised helmets they need to continue their lifesaving rescue missions.”

CAPTION: Looking forward to the arrival of helmets funded by NZCT are new Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter pilot Shaun Stewart (left), who used a borrowed helmet, and critical care flight paramedic/base manager Richard Curtis (right), who generously shared his with another team member.