Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has secured a Large Aerial Tanker (LAT) firefighting aircraft for the State over the next four bushfire seasons.
The LAT is in Bundaberg and crew members have completed quarantine and are ready to get to work.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan said the LAT was a terrific resource.
“The arrival of the LAT —a Bombardier Dash-8 Q400AT — signals the start of a co-sharing arrangement with Victoria that will see the air tanker stay in Australia all year round for the next four years,” Mr Ryan said.
“This LAT will spend the next four bushfire seasons with us to help front-line firefighting crews who work to keep Queensland communities safe.”
He said the sight of the LAT in the sky during fire emergencies would provide reassurance to responding crews as well as communities who potentially found themselves in harm’s way.
Commissioner for the QFES, Greg Leach said the LAT would be a valuable addition to the 150 call-when-needed planes and helicopters the State already had at its disposal.
“Aerial firefighting is an important tool in our overall approach to bushfire response,” Commissioner Leach said.
“It ensures valuable support for our hardworking crews on the fire-front and means we can attack fires from multiple angles,” he said.
