Federal Government transfers Black Hawks to NSW RFS
BLACK Hawks will be transformed into firefighting machines with the Federal Government transferring two military airframes to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
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BLACK Hawks will be transformed into firefighting machines with the Federal Government transferring two military airframes to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The 30-year-old helicopters are part of a fleet of 39 Black Hawks owned by the Australian Defence Force, which will be gradually withdrawn from military service from 2019.
Once used to support peacekeeping operations in Cambodia and drought relief operations in Papua New Guinea, they will now be used to fly emergency service personnel and resources to bushfires, floods and other disasters.
The two airframes are expected to be transferred to the NSW RFS next year and will be refitted for firefighting purposes using state funds, a process that could take 12 months.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the government’s $6.5 million investment, contained in this year’s Budget, will boost the state’s rescue capabilities.
Mr Perrottet was joined by NSW Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant and Federal Law Enforcement and Cyber Security Minister Angus Taylor at Holsworthy Army Barracks for the announcement.
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“We know in emergency management being able to move people and kit to a fire or flood at the right time has the potential to save lives (and) save property,” Mr Taylor said.
“We’ve seen in the fires right here in Holsworthy, as well as at Tathra earlier this year, the devastation that can be caused by fires and floods as well.”
Mr Grant said NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian had made it clear to him she wanted the best capability for the state’s emergency services.
“This acquisition is an enormous boost to that capability,” he said.
The Black Hawks have a cruising speed of 270km/h and will be able to transport up to 18 firefighters to the remotest parts of the state.
NSW RFS Rob Rogers welcomed the transfer, describing it as a “game changer”.
“Where they’ve traditionally had to sometimes dump firefighters to bring people who may be stuck in fires, we’ve had to leave the firefighters there in the fire grounds. This way, everybody gets out,” Mr Rogers said.