❓ Question regarding the decision not to deploy the DC10 and C130 water bombers during the Waroona/Yarloop fires, seeking justification and information provided to the Ferguson Review. The answer details the rationale based on the perceived superior performance of smaller aircraft and confirms information sharing with the inquiry.
AnsweredQoN 5370Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to your statements made during the Waroona/Yarloop fires that the DC10 water bomber and C130 water bomber based at RAAF Base Richmond were not suitable to be deployed too these fires, and ask: (a) what was the basis for this conclusion; (b) what was the source of advice provided; and (c) what information are you providing to the Ferguson Review on this decision?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 May 2016
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
34 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) It had been determined that the aircraft used at Waroona (Helitaks, Aircrane and Fixed Wing) would have outperformed the Large Air Tanker (LAT) and very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) in the volume and accuracy of suppressant dropped, average drops per hour, their target flexibility and agility on the fire ground.
(b) The Department’s Aviation Services branch compared the capability of the State’s small aircraft fleet to the LAT/ VLAT in relation to average water/ suppressant volume (tonnes) per hour, target flexibility, fire ground agility, landing and fuel requirements for Waroona.
(c) The Waroona Special Inquiry has been provided a paper considering whether the provision of LAT/ VLAT during the Waroona incident would have affected the extent and impact of the fire.
(a) It had been determined that the aircraft used at Waroona (Helitaks, Aircrane and Fixed Wing) would have outperformed the Large Air Tanker (LAT) and very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) in the volume and accuracy of suppressant dropped, average drops per hour, their target flexibility and agility on the fire ground.
(b) The Department’s Aviation Services branch compared the capability of the State’s small aircraft fleet to the LAT/ VLAT in relation to average water/ suppressant volume (tonnes) per hour, target flexibility, fire ground agility, landing and fuel requirements for Waroona.
(c) The Waroona Special Inquiry has been provided a paper considering whether the provision of LAT/ VLAT during the Waroona incident would have affected the extent and impact of the fire.
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