A family who know first-hand the importance of the Trustpower TECT Rescue Helicopter have added another tool to the trust's arsenal.

A new Rapid Response Vehicle will enable crewman to respond to callouts quicker.

Allan McFall hands over the keys to pilot Liam Brettkelly. Photos: Supplied.

The vehicle has been donated to the rescue chopper team by McFall Fuel of Tauranga, who are also providing fuel for it.

The fuel and lubricant logistics specialists became great supporters of the Rescue Helicopter team after the part they played in helping to save managing director Allan McFall's brother Bryce in July 2002.

Bryce was marshalling on a quad bike for a motorcycle club trail ride 50km into a forestry area in the Mamaku's when an accident occurred.

There was no way an ambulance could reach the location, but Bryce was fortunate that the people on the scene helped prior to the arrival of the Rescue Helicopter.

Pilot Liam Brettkelly and Crewman Leigh Sefton have thanked the company for their generous gift.

'This vehicle is critical to ensuring the service is rescue ready 24/7,” says Liam, 'and is especially vital as the crewmen for the helicopter are all volunteers and are on call over a 24 hour period.

'They could be at work or at home when the pager goes off, and they need to be able to drive safely, yet quickly, to the hangar.”

McFall Fuel took up the opportunity to supply the much-needed vehicle as they recognised the need for the rescue helicopter in their area and the requirement for that service to be airborne as soon as possible in an emergency.

Many of McFall's staff and customers work and reside in remote areas which would be difficult to access in such an event.

Knowing the service is available to those in need fits with McFall's family philosophy.

'McFall Fuel is proud to sponsor the Rapid Response Vehicle, seeing this as a first-class way of supporting such an invaluable community service,” says Allan.

'We support the Trust just like so many other businesses and individuals so that should the situation arise, people in urgent need can be reached quickly and treated immediately, which is important.

'A great majority of the McFall Fuel staff cover many kilometres each day to reach customers who are often working in quite remote locations.

'The Rescue Helicopter provides these communities and businesses with that safety net when accidents occur and time is critical.

'We work hard to achieve zero harm, but accidents do happen, and having the Rescue Helicopter is paramount for us all.”

The vehicle, with its bright new paint job, has been fitted with lights and a siren to allow it to move more freely and safely through traffic in times of emergency.

'If you see it out and about with the lights on, please allow it the right of way,” says Liam. 'It could be someone you know we are on our way to help.”

The McFall Rapid Response Vehicle.