EMMA KELLY / PERTH
The recently established National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) of Australia aims to sign contracts with providers for the country's first national aerial firefighting resources plan early this month.
The NAFC was established in late July by the country's fire authorities and land management groups to manage aerial firefighting resources on a national basis. It is responsible for managing aircraft under the National Aerial Firefighting Strategy and has been charged with achieving more effective resource use and the sharing of resources across the country. Implementation of a national approach follows the disastrous bush fires that hit Canberra, New South Wales and Victoria last southern summer.
The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC), which has been managing the tender process, released a request for proposals for aerial firefighting services in June. The council has a shortlist of candidates and will sign contracts in the next few weeks, says Michael Whelan, project manager and manager of research and strategic development at AFAC. Whelan declines to comment on the shortlist, but says the process resulted in a good number of responses.
Once contracts are signed, the NAFC will seek government money for the coming fire season, starting in October.
Until now individual states have been responsible for their own aerial firefighting strategies. This is the first time that a co-ordinated national strategy has been deployed, says Whelan, adding that there has been much support for it.
The request for proposals sought information on high volume firebombing aircraft, capable of carrying a minimum of 4,000 litres (1,050US gal) of water; and medium volume firebombing aircraft, with a payload capability for personnel and equipment in excess of 2,500kg (5,500lb) and up to 5,000kg, and capable of delivering between 2,500 and 4,000 litres of water. The contracts will cover the 2003-4 Australian summer fire season with a possible two-year extension.
Source: Flight International
