A new contract managing firefighter aircraft in New South Wales is hoped to make the state more self-sufficient as the bushfire season grows longer and more intense.
In an effort to boost local jobs and skills, Coulson Aviation Australia will now oversee the management, operation and maintenance of the entire Rural Fire Service 11-aircraft fleet for the next decade.
The jets, helicopters and air tankers will be taken care of by crews at home, alleviating reliance on international help.
"The RFS is at the forefront of aerial firefighting innovation and response, with its fleet playing a pivotal role in firefighting efforts not just here in NSW, but right across Australia," Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said.
"We are now looking to the future and working on making our local fleet and aviation teams even more self-sufficient, with fire seasons expected to become more challenging as the climate changes."
The new deal will also help bolster aviation crews in the state through an expanded apprenticeship program which will provide training in advanced firefighting techniques.
"It is important that we continue to grow the skills and experience of the local workforce, and the expansion of apprenticeships with the aviation crew will help build the next generation of firefighting aviation personnel," Dib said.
Rural Fire Services crews were called to more than 5480 bushfires and grassfires, which destroyed 29 homes and 143 outbuildings, last season.
In the 2022-23 season, their aircraft were called to 340 tasks and rescued 114 people from the flames.
The fleet also supports other emergencies, like flood rescues and reconnaissance, when they are not being used for firefighting duties.
