VAI Member Spotlight: Public Safety Training & Response Group, Australia Organization focused on disaster response provides training and support for public and private helicopter operators. By Jen Boyer In recent years, Australia has experienced an increase in natural disasters and emergencies. Extreme-weather events—such as severe bushfires, powerful storms, strong cyclones, and serious flooding—are becoming more intense and frequent. The demand to respond to these natural emergencies is putting significant pressure on community response teams, government agencies, and other emergency services providers, highlighting an urgent need for expert training and preparedness as well as collaborative response efforts. Public Safety Training & Response Group (PSTR Group) of Fortitude Valley in Queensland, Australia, was founded to help fill this demand. Recognizing the vital need for private–public partnerships to expand response, the company’s founders created PSTR Group to support all aspects of public safety with the goal of providing comprehensive services. The company provides public safety training; private search-and-rescue services; helicopter transport; uncrewed aircraft/drone pilot training and operations; training rooms and incident management facilities; pilots, crew, and equipment; and other support services. PSTR Group partners with expert service providers to enable quick and professional responses to natural disasters and other emergencies. The company also offers a comprehensive suite of high-quality assets, equipment, and staff to support training. Training Courses The company’s nationally accredited courses are designed to prepare individuals and communities to respond to real-world emergencies. Courses include general first aid and CPR, helicopter pilot training, helicopter rescue crew training, flood awareness and management training, and whitewater rescue and recovery training. Experienced veterans, first responders, and former emergency services personnel teach many of the courses. As an owner–operator of public safety and rescue aircraft and equipment and an employer of trained ex-military and emergency services personnel, PSTR Group stands ready to deploy in response to emergency and disaster situations—whether air, sea, or land—anywhere in Australia. Helicopter Fleet PSTR Group’s helicopter division operates a fleet of aircraft, including MBB/Kawasaki BK 117s and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks. The helicopters conduct a variety of missions that include advanced flight training (including for high-risk and tactical missions), charter services, and a range of emergency uses, including search and reconnaissance over land or water, aerial firefighting support, organ transfers, medical retrievals of injured people, and transport of officials and specialized emergency services personnel. PSTR Group also provides accredited drone services, including Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)–approved uncrewed pilot license training, as well as search services, real-time image collection, tactical mapping and 3D modeling of disaster zones, medical device transport, and structural assessments. Advantages of Public–Private Teaming Overall, the company credits its focus on private and public partnerships for its ability to offer tailored services to meet the unique needs of individuals, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. Through its network of partner businesses, PSTR Group markets its ability to enhance the capabilities and streamline the operations of, and be a force multiplier for, emergency response operators. Jen Boyer is a journalist and marketing communicator specializing in aviation. She holds commercial, instrument, flight instructor, and instrument instructor ratings in helicopters and a private rating in airplanes.
