September 11, 2018
The State Government has hired eight extra water bombing planes and helicopters to help firefighters this bushfire season.
They will be based at Toowoomba and Bundaberg.
The aircraft – which doubles the existing fleet – have been hired on an 84-day contract.
“Ensuring the safety of Queenslanders is paramount, and the government is committed to ensuring Queensland Fire and Emergency Services staff and volunteers have the resources they need to continue their high standard of service,” Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said on Tuesday.
“The bushfire season officially began on August 1, and QFES has already responded to more than 1400 bushfires.
“These aircraft will help give crews the upper hand during an-already busy bushfire season.”
Mr Crawford said the aircraft had been contracted from the National Aerial Firefighting Centre, but could be deployed to other centres.
QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the State Air Operations Unit would be supported by about 300 air and ground crew from the QFES, Rural Fire Service and SES.
“These staff and volunteers will provide crucial assistance in areas such as ground base support, air base management, air attack supervision and airborne incident intelligence, including reconnaissance work, mapping and photography,” Ms Carroll said.
“Throughout Queensland’s bushfire season, the aircraft may be called on to protect people and property or used to map fires burning in difficult terrain that firefighters may otherwise be unable to access.
“QFES can also call on the fleet to suppress fires before ground crews arrive on scene, and ensure our personnel receive critical support when and where it is most needed through actions including water bombing.”
The aerial fleet contract is due to finish in December, subject to a review of bushfire conditions and the projected weather forecast.
