Helicopters

Air Ambulance Victoria operates three helicopters. These are based at Essendon, Bendigo and the Latrobe Valley. They are known as the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS). Funding has been provided for an additional emergency helicopter in Warrnambool and a retrieval helicopter based in Essendon.

The ambulance helicopters are used as an emergency response to critical emergencies. They can provide an advanced level of care, quick attendance and fast transport of an injured patient to a major hospital. They are also involved in search and rescue, winch operations and sea rescue.

The Essendon helicopter (HEMS 1) is used for both ambulance and police cases. It is staffed by a police pilot, observer and a MICA flight paramedic. It is a Dauphin twin engine helicopter capable of carrying two stretcher patients. It operates primarily within 175km of Melbourne.

Both the Latrobe Valley (HEMS 2) and Bendigo (HEMS 3) helicopters are used only as emergency ambulance vehicles and are branded accordingly. They are Bell 412 helicopters and both are also fitted for bucket capability to be used in aerial firefighting.

All helicopters having a winching capacity of 272kg and can winch a height of 76 metres.

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