FIRE crews are set to receive a boost to their firefighting capability with two firefighting aircraft based at Bendigo airport this summer.
The helicopters will be used by Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and CFA to respond to fires across Central Victoria.
FFMVic regional manager fire and emergency preparedness Carsten Nannestad said helicopters have been based in Bendigo during summer for a number of years.
“They contribute significantly to our first attack when responding to emergencies,” he said.
“When a bushfire is reported, the helicopter pilots are notified and immediately head for the fire.
“The helicopters are critical in stopping the spread of fire. They often arrive at a fire quicker than ground crews, providing immediate response in the early stages and supporting firefighters on the ground.
“One of the aircraft is a water bombing helicopter and the other carries the Air Attack Supervisor.”
The water bombing helicopter carries 2650 litres of water in its belly tank. It can fill the tank in 40 seconds by dropping its three-metre snorkel into a water source and hovering two-and-a-half metres above the water source.
“The Air Attack Supervisor identifies where the drop will be most effective, the location of the closest water source to refill tanks and acts as a liaison between the ground crews and the water bombing helicopter,” Mr Nannestad said.
Both helicopters will be on standby every day throughout summer to respond to fires across Central Victoria.
The Bendigo-based aircraft are part of Victoria’s fleet of 50 firefighting aircraft that will be positioned across the state this summer.
“We have had lots of feedback from the community over the years that seeing and hearing the helicopter in the sky on a bad fire day gives them confidence and reassurance that the fire services are doing all they can to limit the impact of fires on the community,” Mr Nannestad added.
