Fire Fighting - VibeWire Magazine

Australian-owned firefighting helicopters in deadly mid-air crash

Guest authors
August 3, 2026
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The Bell aircraft, owned by McDermott Aviation, were battling a fire near Porto Germeno in Greece when the rotor of one appeared to strike the underside of the other, causing the lower helicopter to crash in flames, while the other flew away after dump…

Australia sends helicopters to help battle French wildfires

Guest authors
July 31, 2026
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The CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft will be deployed to France, accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

New standard operating procedures adopted for large air tankers

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July 31, 2026
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The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council developed the procedures, which include minimum drop heights, after the ATSB’s findings around the crash of a Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner, N619SW (similar aircraft pictured), on 6 February 2…

Airservices disputes claims of $135m taxpayer bill for ARFF proposal

Guest authors
June 1, 2026
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The United Firefighters Union of Australia Aviation Branch has pointed to a new report from the Centre of Full Employment and Equity as evidence the plan would leave taxpayers “$135 million out of pocket for a worse service that undermines their safety…

Union urges super funds to probe mooted aviation firefighting sale

Guest authors
May 4, 2026
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Super funds with ties to the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), which is reportedly the preferred bidder for the proposal, are being pushed to “carefully investigate” their involvement with QIC, with UFUAV saying they should look into whether mem…

Union urges super funds to probe mooted aviation firefighting sale

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May 4, 2026
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Union slams proposed sale of aviation firefighting facilities

Guest authors
March 31, 2026
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The United Firefighters Union of Australia – Aviation Branch (UFUAV) said the sale and leaseback proposal would “effectively privatise” Australia’s aviation rescue firefighting (ARFF) service, a charge which provider Airservices Australia rejects.

WA invests $12.5m into Jandakot emergency aviation hub

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February 24, 2026
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Jandakot’s new DFES Aviation Facility, expected to open by September next year, will bring WA’s Emergency Rescue Helicopter Service (ERHS) and Air Operations branches under one roof while supporting future growth in Department of Fire and Emergency Ser…

Launceston Airport breaks ground on new firefighting facility

Guest authors
January 30, 2026
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The 470-square-metre firefighting hub will strengthen the emergency response capabilities at Launceston, and is expected to be finished in time for the peak summer fire season later this year.

Launceston Airport breaks ground on new firefighting facility

Guest authors
January 30, 2026
0

The 470-square-metre firefighting hub will strengthen the emergency response capabilities at Launceston, and is expected to be finished in time for the peak summer fire season later this year.