Emergency Helicopter arrives at it’s new home in Cairns

The Queensland Government’s latest $16 million emergency rescue helicopter arrives at it’s new base in Cairns tomorrow.

Minister for Emergency Service Neil Roberts said the new state-of-the-art Italian manufactured chopper is the final of three purchased by the State Government as part of it’s commitment to providing first-class search and rescue capabilities for Queensland.

The Government invested $48 million over three years to buy three new Agusta Westland (AW) 139 helicopters to upgrade Emergency Management Queensland Rescue’s current fleet.

The chopper was shipped from Southampton in the United Kingdom to Brisbane where work began to re-assemble it.

Today it began it’s final journey, departing Brisbane early this morning before arriving at EMQ’s hanger at Cairns Airport.

Local member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall was there to welcome the chopper to it’s new base on behalf of Mr Roberts.

Mr Roberts said the arrival of the chopper boosts the capabilities of search and rescue operations for North Queensland.

“This completes a major $48 million upgrade to the Government’s emergency rescue helicopter fleet,” Mr Roberts said.

“The State Budget included the final $2.5 million instalment for the AW139 Cairns helicopter.

“The first two AW139 helicopters have started work from Brisbane and Townsville and taken part in operations.

“This helicopter for Cairns further boosts the capabilities of our search and rescue operations and aero-medical patient transfer across north Queensland.

“The helicopter will now undergo up to six weeks of testing and training for crews before it becomes fully operational for aero-medical rescues by the end of the year.

“This helicopter is further evidence of the Bligh Government’s commitment to providing the very best in emergency services to the people of Queensland.”

Member for Cairns, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle; Member for Mulgrave, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Barron River Steve Wettenhall all said the new helicopter was a boost for emergency services in the region.

Mr Wettenhall said the helicopter will provide EMQ Rescue with a greater flight range and speed.

“The AW139 boast a 30% increase in range and a 20% increase in speed than the helicopter they replace,” he said.

“When configured for EMQ Helicopter Rescue, the AW 139 helicopters will have a single flight endurance of three hours, giving it an operational range of 870 kilometers, flying at 290km per hour.”

Mr Pitt said the new helicopter will improve response times.

“For patients, it’s capabilities means that nearly 25 minutes can be slashed off a two-hour retrieval mission and in emergencies, every extra minute saved is critical,” Mr Pitt said.

Ms Boyle said the new helicopter demonstrates the government’s commitment to the region.

“This will significantly improve medical care,” Ms Boyle said.

EMQ Helicopter Rescue remains one of Australia’s busiest emergency helicopter networks with in excess of 2500 hours annually including search and rescue (over land and sea), primary medical response, hospital patient transfers and evacuations.

Ends

Note to Editors - not for publication.

The helicopter is due to arrive at Cairns Airport, General Aviation site, EMQ hanger between 1pm-2pm on Saturday October 11.


Media contact – Jessica Lawrence (Minister Robert’s office) – 0400708526.