Boomer bounds in to action on NSW bush fires

Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services Melanie Gibbons said Boomer arrived only days before it joined the NSW Rural Fire Service’s LAT Marie Bashir last weekend to protect homes in the Tenterfield and Sandy Creek area.

“The NSW Government will be relentless when it comes to ensuring we equip our firefighters with the resources and facilities they need to get the job done,” Ms Gibbons said.

“Boomer is an RJ-85 Large Air Tanker and it has proven itself in previous fire seasons and has joined our permanent 737 Large Air Tanker Marie Bashir, purchased by the Government this year.”

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the NSW RFS’s members could feel a bit safer knowing Boomer was already in action.

“These kinds of aircraft are game-changers when it comes to fighting bush and grass fires. Boomer can dump more than 11,300 litres of water or fire retardant at a time and will be used for direct attack on bush and grass fires,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said Boomer was registered in Canada and would be one of the almost 200 tactical firefighting aircraft in use across the fire season in NSW.

“We have already seen more than 4000 bush and grass fires since 1st July and unfortunately 44 homes destroyed. With the ongoing drought and warm and dry conditions predicted over the coming months, these aircraft are an important asset in our firefighting toolbox,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.

“I also urge residents to update and discuss their bush fire survival plan and know what they and their family will do in the event a bush fire threatens.

Visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for bush fire information and how to prepare for this bush fire season.