The pad was constructed in the Geraldine Domain directly behind the fire station in Talbot St, and while it has been in use for a couple of months, Saturday’s official launch gave the community an opportunity to see what all their hard work and fundraising had achieved.
The new helipad has put one Geraldine resident’s heart at ease.
Craig Arras has had three heart attacks, two of which involved rescue helicopter rides.
In the past, Mr Arras’ heart had stopped a soccer game, and it had brought the volunteer fire crew out at night to prepare for the helicopter’s arrival.
"We won’t have that issue now we have a helipad, though," Mr Arras said.
Not long after recovering from "a bout of cancer" Mr Arras had his first heart attack. It was 2011 and he was only 40 years old.
In the years that followed, he had two more.
He said with his second heart attack he had no idea of what was happening to him.
"It was pain like I had never experienced and I’d never felt so hot, yet I was cold to touch," he said.
He did not think it was his heart as he had had a stent inserted to fix it.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called.
"There was a soccer game going on at the domain so they had to clear everyone out so the rescue helicopter could land."
It turned out Mr Arras’ stent had blocked.
Doctors fixed the problem and he returned home to Geraldine.
Two years later, when he started feeling unwell at his daughter’s rugby game, he had an inkling his heart was again to blame.
"This time the pain just got worse and worse and I felt tight across my chest and the back of my shoulders."
Hato Hone St John arrived first, then the fire crew.
When they established he was having a heart attack they called the rescue helicopter.
"I said ‘that’s a bit extreme; doesn’t the rescue helicopter only get called for really serious cases?’ That’s when I realised how serious my case was."
This time, the fire crew had to bring the trucks out to light up a spot where the helicopter could land near the back of the fire station.
"Both times I’ve needed the rescue helicopter I’ve been amazed at how quickly they arrived and got me to Christchurch Hospital. It’s a fantastic service with amazing people; really quite incredible."
After Mr Arras’ third heart attack, specialists worked out he needed a larger stent.
Mr Arras is hoping he will not need the rescue helicopter any time soon.
He said it was great to see Geraldine now has a dedicated emergency helipad.
"When faced with a health emergency the faster we can get treatment the more chance we have of surviving.
"The rescue helicopter is a life-saver and the new Geraldine helipad will make it easier and faster to access this vital service." — Allied Media
