About the rescue service Hunter Region (SLSA) Surf Life Saving Association Helicopter Rescue Service Ltd The runs more than 1400 missions each year. Highly skilled aircraft engineers maintain the service s 4 twinengine, single-pilot, all-weather machines. No passenger has ever paid to be air lifted from an emergency. The rescue service is part of the Surf Life Saving Association (SLSA), and offer continued community support. Region serviced covers the Hunter, New England North West, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions. This is an area of about 132,000 square kilometers and 1.2 million people. Base operations in NSW The service has 2 dedicated base operations at Tamworth and Broadmeadow, Newcastle. Each base has hangar and engineering facilities, refueling and maintenance facilities, crew accommodation, and office space for administration. Needs & challenges of the helicopter service Meeting client expectations (NSW Health and Ambulance Service Finding cost efficiencies Being an environmentally responsible member of the community Client expectations - winning tenders NSW Health and Ambulance Service is an important client for the Westpac Rescue Helicopters. To win health service contracts, the service needed to demonstrate a credible sustainability plan. Being competitive required energy smart, efficient, and environmentally responsible actions.
Cost efficiencies The management team wanted to find cost savings through energy efficiencies. As well as improving the bottom line, the service needed to meet funding expectations of their client, the NSW Health and Ambulance Service. Community The helicopter service wanted to walk the walk. They wanted to reduce the organisation s impact on the environment as accountable, responsible members of the community. Sustainability solutions for a greener service Compliance undertaken & in progress 1. Working towards ISO 14001 Environmental Standard (in December 2011) 2. Carbon footprint to ISO 14064-1 (annually since 2008) 3. Energy audit to AS / NZ 3598:2000 (2008, upcoming January 2012) Pangolin Associates helps the with a range of sustainability actions. This includes measuring and offsetting emissions, and efficiencies across the organisation. Measuring emissions The first step was to measure the service s environmental impact from ground operations. Pangolin Associates team calculates the service s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually. Offsetting with carbon credits As well as putting efficiency measures in place, the helicopter service offsets ground operation emissions with certified carbon credits. Carbon credits support global renewable energy projects, such as wind and solar. Pangolin Associates purchased the credits in behalf of the rescue service. This is fully transparent and visible on the Markit Registry. With every credit purchased, the rescue service has effectively removed one tonne of carbon, or equivalent greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.
Waste and water efficiencies Segregating waste and recycling Collecting rainwater for cleaning aircraft and vehicles Using grey water for toilets, washing machines etc. Energy efficiencies Removing excess fluorescent lights and down lights across the site Installing ceiling fans to reduce the need for air conditioning Installing push button off switches on high bay lights in the Operations Hangar to encourage turning off Introducing energy efficient diesel and LPG vehicles to the fleet, and reducing 6 cylinder vehicles Replacing old inefficient appliances with new energy smart appliances To gain further efficiencies, the helicopter service will undertake an energy audit with Pangolin Associates in January 2012. Future initiatives Electricity Currently the is examining the feasibility of a 12kW solar power system. To further reduce electricity usage, they will increase the number of light switches, so more lights can be turned off more frequently. They will also gradually swap halogen down lights to energy efficient LED. Overall, as well as an energy audit in early 2012, the service will examine efficiencies of current heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Fuel The service is monitoring developments of bio-fuels and their suitability for the aircraft fleet. Paper To reduce paper and transport costs, the helicopter service is moving their newsletter online via Realview. The service looks to go paperless as much as possible; ipads will replace paper based forms for daily checks.
Testimonial The has benefited from our association with Pangolin Associates in gaining valuable assistance on improving energy efficiencies and completion of greenhouse gas audits. The team at Pangolin is responsive to our needs and has a great network of subject matter experts that have assisted us and provided us with advice in all areas of environmental management. Rob Jenkins Safety Manager, Westpac Rescue Helicopter
About Pangolin Associates We help organisations increase efficiencies, reduce costs and stay competitive in the carbon economy. Our team has comprehensive, accredited experience in carbon and energy. Auditors leading our assessment team are registered with the Australian Government s Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Sydney Adelaide Perth Canberra Suite 212 377 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000 Unit 2 92-94 Unley Road Unley SA 5061 Unit 3 4 Lichfield Street Victoria Park WA 6100 Unit 4b 103 Tennant Street Fyshwick ACT 2609 t. +61 2 8005 6300 m. +61 439 801 700 t. +61 8 7200 1030 m. +61 439 801 427 t. +61 8 6102 1115 m. +61 401 918 100 t. +61 2 6239 1683 m. +61 416 150 672 www.pangolinassociates.com info@pangolinassociates.com