NSW | 6 Feb 2012
With significant flooding across NSW, and thousands of communities isolated and requiring resupply, it is timely that NSW SES volunteer, Erin Pogmore is heading to the Unites States to present at the 2012 Helicopter Rescue Summit for the Helicopter Rescue and Response Association.
The summit, only available to members of the association, covers off on important helicopter rescue and safety issues across emergency services agencies internationally.
Erin started researching Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) in 2009, and was successful in gaining a NSW SESVA scholarship in 2010 to run pilot courses in HUET that included flood-specific safety information. Since then she has also been successful in gaining an Emergency Media and Public Affairs research grant with one other NSW SES member and also a 2011 NSW SESVA scholarship to further her experience overseas.
Erin originally travelled to the United States in November to attend the 5th International Helicopter Safety Symposium in Fort Worth, Texas and visited local emergency services in Texas, Colorado, Nevada and California to see how they addressed flood-specific safety concerns when travelling in aircraft over floodwater.
“Given the operations that the NSW SES is involved in, the increased use of helicopters to transport members to flood and storm-affected communities, and the huge resupply role that the Service takes on, any research into increasing member’s safety in the aviation environement can only be a good thing.” Commissioner Murray Kear said.
‘As we move towards building our flood rescue capability, including the use of helicopters, it is important that we are aware of all of the potential risks and have plans in place to mitigate those risks”. Commissioner Kear said.
Erin’s presentation details the pathways she followed to undertake the research and the findings of the pilot courses so far. She will also use the opportunity to further build important emergency service networks in the field of aviation safety.
