Seasoned rural firefighters have questioned the effectiveness of Labor and Liberal policies of deploying hugely-expensive water bombing aircraft for bushfire control in Queensland.
A senior Rural Fire Service commander in Far North Queensland said aircraft and helicopters were ineffective for fighting large bushfires but cost the taxpayer many millions every year.
“The larger aircraft cost $7000 or more an hour to drop water on fires which makes little difference to a big fire front. Helicopters are useless for firefighting but cost the earth,” the firefighter said.
“We have always used ground equipment like dozers and graders which are far cheaper and much more effective fighting bushfires in the far north. Aircraft need long airstrips and easily available water which is often not available and infrequency of dosing fires with water is useless.”
Meanwhile Labor politicians have trumpeted the aircraft as being a silver bullet for firefighting. Cairns News asks how many Labor mates and senior QFS staff are connected to these international aircraft companies?
A 10,000-litre LAT (large air tanker) and crew have touched down at Bundaberg Airport for bushfire season.
Being based in Bundaberg means the LAT can readily respond in coastal and inland areas across Queensland.
A Eurocopter and a waterbombing Blackhawk join the LAT in Bundaberg, supporting Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) staff and volunteer firefighters, and Queensland Fire & Rescue (QFR) personnel.
On standby at Toowoomba Airport for the fire season are two Bell 214B helicopters, two AirTractor AT-802 Fixed wing bombers, two air attack supervision platforms and a specialist intelligence gathering light helicopter.
This brings the Queensland Fire Department’s (QFD) contracted aerial fleet to 13 aircraft with a total waterbombing capacity of more than 32,000 litres.
QFD has access to approximately 150 additional aircraft, available on-call when needed.
The aircraft fleet is coordinated by QFD’s experienced State Air Desk, ensuring the best combination of aircraft, personnel and resources for major bushfires.
For advice on Bushfire Survival Plans, preparing property and bushfire season information, visit: fire.qld.gov.au/prepare/bushfires or getready.qld.gov.au
Labor Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said:
“The LAT is an important fire season asset for the Bundaberg community and Queensland.
“The LAT and fleet of firefighting helicopters and fixed wings are a Labor government investment in doing what matters for bushfire safety.”