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History

In 1981, a Queensland State Government Helicopter Unit was established in Brisbane as part of the State Emergency Service (SES). The helicopter, an Aerospatiale AS350B (Squirrel) was used for ministerial transportation and the development of rescue techniques.

In 1984, a second more capable Aerospatiale AS355F1 helicopter (Squirrel) was introduced in Brisbane to allow Ministerial tasks to be carried out safely at night. The introduction of this helicopter also allowed a range of emergency tasks to be undertaken in most weather conditions.

The original Squirrel was relocated to Cairns in early 1985 to support Government agencies in Northern Queensland and SES counter disaster and search and rescue operations.

In January 1991, the Government Helicopter Unit was transferred from the SES to the newly established Aviation Division within the then Bureau of Emergency Services.

July 1992 saw the Aviation Division assume responsibility for the North Queensland Emergency Response Group in Townsville. This acquisition took the number of Government Helicopter Units in Queensland to three.

In January 1995 the Queensland Government announced an aeromedical and air rescue package of initiatives including:

The replacement of the current operationally limited Squirrel helicopters with Bell 412 helicopters.
Additional pilots and aircrew to provide 24-hour emergency response coverage for the Department's helicopters based in Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.
Additional Government funding for the Townsville Air Unit to ensure its role would be the same as the Department's Air Units in Brisbane and Cairns.

In 1996, Aviation Services became part of the Emergency Services Division of the Department of Emergency Services.

Today, Aviation Services is working harder than ever for the Queensland community. With these Bell 412 helicopters and the Squirrel helicopter backed up by 61 dedicated crew and administration staff, Queensland Rescue is prepared to take to the skies 24 hours a day seven days a week at a moment's notice.