Slick job by airport crew
Published Date: 11 Jan 2013
Summary
Cootamundra Herald
THE Rural Fire Service (RFS) Aircraft Support Group were once again called into action on Tuesday with a number of fires threatening the region.
Made up predominately of retirees the crew is there to refuel waterbombing aircraft with retardant. The group formed last year and with plenty of training under their belts, they are facing their first fire season this year.
Watching them, they are a slick operation with hand signals used by the volunteers and pilots to signify when to start pumping and when the water level has reached its peak.
Rural Fire Service Aircraft Support Group volunteer Brian Morgan signals back to the truck to start the retardant filling process.
No doubt the pilots feel they are in safe hands with this well-trained group of volunteers helping them in the fire fight.
There were two planes re-fuelling at Cootamundra Airport with each stop lasting about three minutes.
The retardant used by the planes is a gel-based substance which essentially sticks to the fire dousing it.
Each plane takes on a load of 3000 litres, which is then dropped directly over some of the worst affected and most inaccessible areas.
The RFS has funded a 200,000 litre water tank which will be situated at the airport and mean the refilling process will not affect town water supplies. Currently the crew uses a main at the airport to fill the planes with water pumped into a truck first to gauge the amount required for the aircraft.While not on the fire front, this crew is as vital to the local firefighting effort as those on the end of a hose.
Last Sunday as the crew endured very hot conditions a number of local businesses were quick to come to their aid. IGA donated ice to the men to keep their water chilled and ensure they did not, in their full uniform, get too hot. Meanwhile John Stephens and his team at Wattle Hire provided a shelter for the men so they had somewhere shady to cool off between refilling duties. The men have since learnt that the Cootamundra Antique Motor Club will lend them a shelter for the rest of the fire danger period, which will certainly come in handy. The men pay a hearty thanks to these local businesses who were quick to show their community support to the volunteers.
