MEMBER for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson has welcomed the arrival of the state’s first Large Air Tanker (LAT) ‘Thor’ to assist firefighters and help protect communities during the bushfire season.
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The Hercules C130 aircraft can dump 15,000 litres of water or fire retardant at a time and will be used for direct attack on bush and grass fires.
She said the LAT is one of the biggest firefighting aircraft available in the world and was most recently used to support firefighters and protect communities in the US and Canada.
A DC-10 Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) began service on October 1.
South West Slopes Zone Superintendent, Andrew Dillon, said ‘Thor’ was a welcome addition to the Rural Fire Service (RFS), not just in Young but throughout the zone network.
“The Large Air Tanker (LAT) is a great addition to the RFS in what promises to be another busy fire season,” Mr Dillon said.
“Warmer than normal temperatures and low rainfall are predicted, which means we need to prepare for an above-average fire season.
“To echo Katrina’s sentiments we ask residents to start preparing for a hot summer as well,” he said.
The South West Slopes RFS has already been in training for the season ahead and trying to acclimatise to new resources and technology, according to Mr Dillon.
“Forty local RFS firefighters recently participated in an Aviation Communication and Evaluation Course (ACE) held at Bendick Murrell.
RFS volunteers from Young, Harden, Cootamundra and Boorowa participated in the two day event.
“Aircraft are valuable in combating grass and bush fires, particularly in the initial stages. As the use of aviation tools expand it is critical that our firefighters learn to fully utilise this important resource,” Mr Dillon said.
The ACE workshop provided hands-on experience of just what aircraft are capable of doing, and more importantly, how fire ground managers can gain maximum effectiveness of the aircraft by communicating with pilots, guiding them into the required area, and providing feedback on the accuracy and effectiveness of the drop.
“It is critical that fireground leaders have direct contact with pilots via radio.
“This helps ensure that every load is dropped safely and dropped where it is needed to minimise fire spread,” he said.
“Being able to practise these skills has better prepared brigades for the upcoming summer.”
Two fixed wing aircraft and two helicopters were based at the Young Airport for the exercise. Aircraft flew to the field training location at Bendick Murrell where course participants then guided pilots to undertake various aerial firefighting operations.
RFS volunteers also practised their skills by filling fire bombers with water and retardent.
“It was extemely worthwhile for all concerned as many of us got to see first hand the role that aviation plays in firefighting, the role that firefighting agents play in firefighting, firebombing footprints, factors influencing drop placement, and drop patterns from different types of aircraft.
“Even communication with aircraft, perspectives from the air and common terminology as well as identifying and positioning firefighters in relation to the aircraft were all covered,” Mr Dillon said.
For more information about fire safety contact your local RFS or go to the website - www.southwestslopes.rfs.nsw.gov.au
