AIR-CRANE water bombing helicopter Ichabod arrived in the district one month early last Friday.
It was put through its operational readiness checks at Penrith’s Sydney International Regatta Centre, collecting water, using a snorkel, and doing a water drop.
‘‘The helicopters can’t pick up saltwater [because] it destroys the engine,’’ NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Keith Mackay said.
Having passed its checks, Ichabod can now be deployed across NSW from its base in Bankstown and will be joined shortly by its sister aircrane, Gypsy Lady.
‘‘They are on a 15-minute call-out,’’ Supt Mackay said, adding that the RFS consider the potential of a fire before deploying helicopters.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres and NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers attended the annual arrival of the air-crane.
Ichabod’s checks were also conducted early for this reason, Mr Ayres said. ‘‘We’re 12 months, almost to the day, from when we lost 200 homes in an afternoon,’’ he said. ‘‘We are in a high-risk time ... so we have brought this asset in early.’’
He said the aircraft — one of about 100 used by the RFS — has been leased with joint state and federal funding. ‘‘We’re very happy with the leasing arrangement. It’s definitely the most cost-effective [practise],’’ Mr Ayres said. ‘‘If you see the Ichabod, you really do know the angels are coming to save you.’’
It was put through its operational readiness checks at Penrith’s Sydney International Regatta Centre, collecting water, using a snorkel, and doing a water drop.
‘‘The helicopters can’t pick up saltwater [because] it destroys the engine,’’ NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Keith Mackay said.
Having passed its checks, Ichabod can now be deployed across NSW from its base in Bankstown and will be joined shortly by its sister aircrane, Gypsy Lady.
‘‘They are on a 15-minute call-out,’’ Supt Mackay said, adding that the RFS consider the potential of a fire before deploying helicopters.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres and NSW Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers attended the annual arrival of the air-crane.
Ichabod’s checks were also conducted early for this reason, Mr Ayres said. ‘‘We’re 12 months, almost to the day, from when we lost 200 homes in an afternoon,’’ he said. ‘‘We are in a high-risk time ... so we have brought this asset in early.’’
He said the aircraft — one of about 100 used by the RFS — has been leased with joint state and federal funding. ‘‘We’re very happy with the leasing arrangement. It’s definitely the most cost-effective [practise],’’ Mr Ayres said. ‘‘If you see the Ichabod, you really do know the angels are coming to save you.’’
