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October to April is Australia’s high risk weather season and national aerial firefighting fleet is on standby as the country prepares, with aircraft already positioned to respond to fires, floods, and other emergencies including operations based out of Richmond in the Hawkesbury.
Through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Government has allocated more than $50 million this financial year to strengthen the nation’s aerial emergency response capability. Within the national fleet, the Commonwealth directly funds five aircraft two fixed-wing and three rotary-wing which can be deployed for firefighting, evacuations, emergency supply runs, or logistics support when disasters strike.
“These aircraft supplement the existing state and territory fleets to ensure we can respond even if multiple disasters occur at the same time,” Minister McBain said.
Local Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said the Hawkesbury knows better than most how vital aerial resources can be.
“As the epicentre of the 2019–20 Gospers Mountain fire and the location of multiple floods in recent years, my community appreciates the need to be well prepared for disasters,” she said.
“Having the RFS aerial operations and fleet operating from Richmond is of great benefit its strategic location means aircraft can respond quickly up and down the eastern seaboard.”
With hotter, drier conditions predicted this summer, authorities are reminding Hawkesbury residents to review their bushfire plans, clear properties, and stay informed through local emergency updates.
