Aviation Fire Fighters In Australia Give Bushfire Assistance

Airservices aviation fire fighters have been deployed in support of bushfire fighting efforts nationally in the past week.

Aviation rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) stations at Rockhampton, Broome and Mackay have all assisted local brigades deal with off-airport emergencies in their regions.

Crews from Rockhampton worked on fire containment when fire threatened suburban homes and a primary school in the Lakes Creek area.

They were also engaged in property protection around the local meatworks where ammonia tanks presented an additional hazard.

At Rockhampton airport fire fighters helped fill fire-bombing aircraft used to attack fires in otherwise inaccessible parts of the Mount Archer National Park.

Although specifically designed for the aviation fire fighting environment, Airservices Mk8 ultra-large fire vehicles can provide valuable back-up support to local brigades during emergencies.

Each Mk8 carries 9000 litres of water and while not suited to direct fire attack in a bushfire situation can supplement local water availability and support containment efforts.

In Broome aviation fire fighters also worked alongside the local brigade as fires threatened homes.

In Mackay crews responded to a cane field fire next to the airport which sent flames high above the airport terminal and threatened homes bordering the airport and the cane fields.

Off-duty staff were called in at the height of the fire to help protect homes and airport infrastructure and assist the local brigade control the fire.

In all cases ARFF provided assistance while maintaining sufficient capability at airports to fulfil its core role – protecting life and property in the event of an accident or incident on or near the airfield.

Airservices fire fighters are based at 21 of Australia’s busiest regional, domestic and international airports.

Airservices Australia is a Government owned organisation responsible for the safe and efficient management of air traffic across 11 per cent of the world’s air space. Services include air traffic control, airspace management, aeronautical information, radar communications, radio navigation aids, aviation maintenance and engineering, environmental management and aviation rescue and firefighting. Airservices website: www.airservicesaustralia.com

Topics: Australia, aviation fire fighters, Broome, Bushfires, fire, fire fighters, firefighters, local brigades, Mackay, off airport emergecy, Rockhampton

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