(Photos: AGL Action Rescue Helicopter)
October 17, 2012
A select team of Queensland police dogs are ready to take to the air after some special training with the AGL Action Rescue Helicopter crew this morning.
Six of the Police dog squad’s four-legged members and their handlers went through familiarisation training with the helicopter.
The dogs were initially introduced to the helicopter with the engines off and again with the rotors turning.
Sunshine Coast Dog Squad Officer-in-Charge Sergeant Craig Law said training with the helicopter was a crucial part of to each dog’s development.
“We’re often required to head out to regional areas where the helicopter can get us out there a bit quicker than usual,” Sgt Law said.
“In everything we do the quicker we can get out to a job the better our response is, so for the dog squad time is of the essence.
“We have dogs up here trained to do cadaver work, so those dogs can be deployed in certain areas to do searches.”
AGL Action Rescue Aircrewman Jerm Cutelli co-ordinated the training.
“They’re obviously used to sitting in the back of the police car but this is about getting them used to the noise and the vibration of the helicopter,” Mr Cutelli said.
“There is a legal requirement through CASA that we do this and that the dogs are actually familiar with a helicopter before we throw them in for their first job,” he said.
