Firefighters to trial night flights
Firefighters to trial night flights
13 May 2013
published by www.abc.net.au
Australia — Tasmania is about to embark on national trial of aerial water bombing of fires at night.
Forestry Tasmania has recently started training personnel in night vision goggle technology.
It means crews will be able to monitor bushfires from the air overnight and map hotspots for firefighters to tackle at first light.
Forestry Tasmania’s Nigel Foss says it will provide intelligence that has not previously been available and will give crews a significant head start.
“Traditionally it’s been too dangerous to do much fire fighting of an evening and with the night vision goggles it opens the window of opportunity for us to gather information from the fire ground,” he said.
“You’ve got much better intelligence with what the fire is doing and where the potential risk is.”
Forestry Tasmania has coupled with a Hobart helicopter company to start national trials.
Pilot David Irvine says Tasmania is leading the way in night vision goggle technology.
“It is done overseas but it will be a first for Australia.”
Mr Irvine says if successful, night water bombing is likely to be adopted around the country.
