NEW HELICOPTERS TO ENHAN BY SIMON TOPP - COORDINATOR, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
Three Bell 412 helicopters will be joining the fleet of Service-owned aircraft as part of plans to improve the NSW RFS aerial firefighting capabilities. Two of the helicopters have been funded by the NSW government, and the third is a donation from the Goodman Foundation. The Bell 412 helicopters will join the existing operational RFS helicopter fleet of one Eurocopter AS350 and two BK117 helicopters. The helicopters will be configured to service the Rapid Aerial Response Teams (RART), Helicopter Search and Rescue Teams (SAR) and some Remote Area Firefighting Teams (RAFT) programs. Of particular note is that the NSW RFS will be installing forward looking infra-red (FLIR) cameras onto the new Bell 412 helicopters. These FLIR cameras will enable crew members to map fires, detect hotspots and assist with search operations. One of the three aircrafts is thanks in part to a pledge from the Goodman Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Goodman Group, who in January 2020 announced a $6.5 million donation. 29 BUSH FIRE bulletin || OPERATIONS
RAPID AERIAL RESPONSE TEAMS RART responds to new, remote bush fires in an attempt to quickly supress these fires before they develop. RART consists of a crew of volunteer Remote Area Firefighters and the aircrew operating a medium helicopter capable of winching the firefighting crew into remote locations. RART uses hand and power tools to contain fires with the support of the helicopter, which can drop water from its belly tank or bucket. RART has been found to be most effective following lightning strikes in dry fuels that can start new fires in areas difficult to access for tankers. The Bell 412s will benefit the RART program by improving capacity and ensuring more winch-capable helicopters are readily available for firefighting crews from 2020 onward.
