Inaugural Heli Crew School set to take off

With SLSWA’s Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter (WLRH) Service recently wrapping up patrols ahead of winter, preparations are well and truly underway for the coming season, as the team kicked off the first stages of its Crew recruitment process for 2022/23.

Following an Expression of Interest process, which saw almost 100 registrations, numbers were pared back with 60 individuals invited to attend the initial information sessions held at the WLRH metro service base at Rous Head last Saturday, 30 April.

Providing attendees with a deeper understanding of the role of the service and the expectations and requirements of a crew member, SLSWA Aerial Surveillance Supervisor Tim Gleeson said the prospects for the inaugural WLRH Crew School, set to take place from June, were very positive.

“Off the back of a hugely successful Rookie Lifeguard Program, we have taken the opportunity to develop the Crew School”, said Mr Gleeson.

We are really hoping it will be a success, and if today’s turnout is anything to go by, then we are headed in the right direction”.

From here, those individuals selected to attend the information sessions can apply to move to the next stage, where both their physical and mental fitness and preparedness will be assessed before successful candidates are invited to attend the inaugural WLRH Crew School.

It is anticipated that a number of Air and Rescue Crew positions, both volunteer and paid, will be filled by successful Crew School graduates; however, with limited Crew positions available, candidates will be challenged to put their best foot forward and demonstrate they can fulfill requirements and successfully represent the service which returns to the WA coastline in September.

The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter Service is proudly supported by the Government of Western Australia and partnered by Westpac.