❓ Question on Notice regarding aerial support response to the Walpole fire on April 25, 2024, focusing on deployment times, locations, and contract extensions for waterbombers in the south coast region.
AnsweredQoN 429Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES — WALPOLE FIRE
429. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment :
I refer to question without notice
397 asked yesterday and the Minister for Emergency Services' response.
(1) How long did
it take to get aerial support to the fire?
(2) Where did the
waterbombers have to come from?
(3) Why were
there no waterbombers stationed in Albany or Manjimup?
(4) If
waterbombers were stationed in Albany or Manjimup on 25 April, why were they
not immediately deployed at first light?
(5) Why was the
waterbomber contract for the south coast not extended given the extended dry
summer drought and tinder box conditions we have been experiencing?
429. Hon Dr BRAD PETTITT to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment :
I refer to question without notice
397 asked yesterday and the Minister for Emergency Services' response.
(1) How long did
it take to get aerial support to the fire?
(2) Where did the
waterbombers have to come from?
(3) Why were
there no waterbombers stationed in Albany or Manjimup?
(4) If
waterbombers were stationed in Albany or Manjimup on 25 April, why were they
not immediately deployed at first light?
(5) Why was the
waterbomber contract for the south coast not extended given the extended dry
summer drought and tinder box conditions we have been experiencing?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment I provide the
following answer.
(1) Aerial
suppression aircraft were dispatched to the incident at 12.02 pm on 25 April
2024.
(2) The aircraft
were dispatched from Bunbury airport.
(3) On 25 April
2024 three fixed-wing waterbombers were strategically located at Jandakot and
three were based at Bunbury to provide suppression support across the south
west.
(4) See response
to (3) above.
(5) Contracted
waterbombers at Albany and Manjimup had been extended beyond the term hire
contract end date of 30 March 2024 and were subsequently released on 17 April
2024 following discussions and agreement between the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Fire and
Emergency Services.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment I provide the
following answer.
(1) Aerial
suppression aircraft were dispatched to the incident at 12.02 pm on 25 April
2024.
(2) The aircraft
were dispatched from Bunbury airport.
(3) On 25 April
2024 three fixed-wing waterbombers were strategically located at Jandakot and
three were based at Bunbury to provide suppression support across the south
west.
(4) See response
to (3) above.
(5) Contracted
waterbombers at Albany and Manjimup had been extended beyond the term hire
contract end date of 30 March 2024 and were subsequently released on 17 April
2024 following discussions and agreement between the Department of
Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Fire and
Emergency Services.
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