NSW Rural Fire Service today welcomed the Large Air Tanker “Boomer” as part of the fire fighting arsenal for the coming bush fire season.
Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and NSW Fire and Rescue Acting Commissioner Malcolm Connellan were on hand to oversee final testing in Richmond today [August 31].
The RJ-85 aircraft will be based in NSW, and will be one of four LAT’s that will be used for the bush fire season.
This year’s season was officially brought forward with one third of the state entering the bush fire danger period this coming weekend.
The RJ-85 is capable of dumping more than 11,300 litres of water or retardent at a time.
Commisioner Fitzsimmons said “Boomer’” would be one of more than 100 tactical firefighting aircraft in use throughout the NSW fire season.
