Posts tagged: aerial firefighting

Coulson Aviation to manage NSW RFS fleet

Coulson Aviation has announced a $400 million (AUD), 10-year contract with New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service (RFS).

The contract, awarded after a competitive bidding process, will see Coulson Aviation managing, operating, and maintaining the entire NSW RFS fleet.

As reported by Coulson Aviation, the company has managed the majority of the NSW RFS aircraft fleet for the previous five years.

This partnership aims to strengthen local jobs and skills development, ensuring a robust response to the fire seasons.

Coulson Aviation will oversee a fleet of 11 aircraft, including a 737 FIRELINER Large Airtanker (LAT), two Cessna Citations, six Bell-412 helicopters, a CH-47 Chinook, and a Beechcraft Super King Air.

The focus on employing primarily Australian crews will enhance NSW’s self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on international personnel.

In coordination with the NSW RFS, Coulson will conduct rigorous training sessions and thorough equipment inspections to mitigate the impact of bushfires and safeguard communities.

Apprenticeship program expansion

The contract includes the expansion of Coulson Aviation’s apprenticeship program to develop future aviation personnel in NSW.

A minimum of two mechanical apprentices will be part of the aviation team, gaining hands-on experience with firefighting aircraft.

Coulson Aviation recently became the first aviation firm approved by Transport Canada as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), allowing the company to train technician candidates.

The plan is to extend this model to NSW, attracting new technicians and training them for the utility aviation environment, ensuring a continually well-trained workforce.

Additionally, collaboration with local schools is intended to further grow and sustain this initiative.

Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Group, expressed satisfaction with the contract: “We are extremely pleased to have been chosen as the sole aviation supplier to operate the NSW Rural Fire Service owned fleet of firefighting and emergency services aircraft.”

He added: “Coulson Aviation Australia has been the leading supplier of Large Air Tankers and Very Large Heli-Tankers to the Australian Governments for the past decade and it’s an honour to have been selected again, to continue to run RFS’s world-class fleet.”

RFS and Coulson Aviation partnership

Rob Rogers, Commissioner of the RFS, said: “The RFS has found a reliable and high-performing partner in Coulson Aviation, and we look forward to working with them as our aerial capability continues to expand.”

During the 2022-23 bushfire season, RFS aircraft managed by Coulson Aviation completed over 340 missions and rescued 113 people.

The RFS’s 737 ‘Marie Bashir’ was deployed 41 times, dropping over 600,000 litres of retardant.

The fleet also supported other emergency services such as flood rescues.

Increased funding for aerial firefighting

The Australian Government will enhance Australia’s preparedness for natural disasters by funding additional aircraft to respond to fires, floods, and severe weather events, as reported by The Australian Government’s National Emergency Management Agency.

Through the 2024-25 Budget, the Government will allocate an additional $35 million over the next two years to the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC), which supports national, state, and territory aircraft for fire and emergency services.

This investment aims to deliver a broader range of aerial assets, moving from specific firefighting aircraft to a mix of fixed-wing and rotary multi-use assets.

Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, said this increased funding brings the Australian Government’s contribution to national aerial capability to approximately $48 million a year.

Expansion of aircraft capabilities

Minister Watt highlighted the importance of broadening the aircraft types: “With this investment, we are not only increasing the number of aircraft available, but also broadening the type of aircraft so they can be used for different activities such as heavy lift, transportation and evacuations and resupply operations.”

This expansion will support more Australians across various hazards and international requests for assistance, especially during overlapping high-risk weather seasons with the northern hemisphere.

Earlier this year, Australia experienced a range of disasters within weeks, including catastrophic fire conditions, severe storms in Victoria, cyclones in Northern Australia, and flooding events on the East Coast.

The increased aerial capability aims to support each community, regardless of the disaster they face.

Review and future planning

In addition to the new investment, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been tasked with leading a comprehensive review to ensure a sustainable model for state and territory capabilities.

This review and additional funding address Recommendation 8.1 from the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

As of 31 March 2024, the fleet, delivered through a partnership between states and territories, comprises 162 aircraft, including six large fixed-wing air tankers and 15 large rotary-wing aircraft.

This fleet is supplemented by additional state-owned and state-contracted aircraft, bringing the total to more than 500 aircraft provided by over 150 operators.

Future of aerial firefighting

States and territories annually review the composition and requirements of the fleet to prepare for the high bushfire season, supported by NAFC.

The current model of leasing aircraft through NAFC, rather than purchasing an exclusive fleet, has proven cost-effective and supports the international sharing of specialised aerial firefighting capabilities.

The annual lease cost of the fleet will reach approximately $125 million in 2023-24, up from $92.1 million in 2022-23.

State and territory governments co-fund the fleet and fully fund the operational costs of the aircraft they use.

Airbus Helicopters and Babcock awarded contract for EC145 fleet support

Airbus Helicopters and Babcock have been awarded a 12-year contract to support 48 EC145 helicopters operated by the French Ministry of Interior, as reported by Airbus.

The contract, signed with the Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique (DMAé), covers maintenance for aircraft operated by the French government and starts this year.

Romain Trapp, Airbus Helicopters’ Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services, commented on the contract: “The Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale play a key role in safeguarding our communities in France.

“We are proud to have signed this contract which demonstrates their confidence in us and strengthens our partnership.”

Trapp emphasised the responsibility of ensuring the availability of EC145s for critical missions.

Scope of services and operational impact

The contract includes technical support, supply of spare parts, logistics solutions, technical data management, and software support.

This support will ensure the availability of the 33 EC145s operated by the Sécurité Civile and the 15 EC145s operated by the Gendarmerie air forces across 41 bases in France, including five in overseas territories.

The EC145s are utilised for various critical missions, including search and rescue, emergency medical services, fire fighting, and law enforcement operations.

The contract’s comprehensive support aims to maintain operational readiness for these essential services.

Fleet renewal and future plans

Airbus is also involved in the renewal of the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie’s helicopter fleet.

The Sécurité Civile currently operates four new H145s, ordered in 2021, which are also supported by Airbus Helicopters and Babcock.

In late 2023, a contract was signed for an additional 42 H145s for the French Ministry of Interior, with deliveries beginning in 2024.

The ongoing fleet renewal and support contracts highlight Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to enhancing the operational capabilities of the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie, ensuring they can continue their vital missions effectively.

Impact on French aviation maintenance

This new contract reinforces the relationship between Airbus Helicopters, Babcock, and the French Ministry of Interior.

The collaboration focuses on maintaining a high level of operational readiness for the helicopter fleet, which is crucial for the various emergency and law enforcement tasks performed by the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie.

By providing comprehensive support services, Airbus Helicopters and Babcock aim to ensure that these critical missions can be carried out without interruption, enhancing the safety and security of the French population.

IFSJ Comment

The awarding of this 12-year contract to Airbus Helicopters and Babcock underscores the importance of ensuring that the EC145s, which are essential for search and rescue, emergency medical services, fire fighting, and law enforcement operations, remain operational and available for these critical missions.

The scope of the contract, covering technical support, spare parts supply, logistics solutions, and technical data management, demonstrates a comprehensive approach to fleet maintenance.

This ensures that the 48 helicopters across various bases in France, including overseas territories, are maintained to the highest standards.

The contract also highlights Airbus Helicopters’ role in the ongoing renewal of the fleet, with the addition of new H145s enhancing the capabilities of the Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie.

Deputy Speaker Frasco urges for helicopters to improve firefighting efforts in the Philippines

Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Representative, Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco, has advocated for the purchase of firefighting helicopters following a notable increase in fire incidents in the Philippines.

On Tuesday, Frasco introduced House Resolution 1686, which calls on the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to allocate funds for these helicopters in the proposed 2025 budget.

Fire incidents in the country have risen by 25 percent in just the first two months of this year.

Frasco highlighted that aerial firefighting would markedly improve the speed and efficiency of fire suppression operations.

Challenges in urban firefighting

Frasco commented on the persistent challenges in managing fires, particularly in densely populated areas: “For the past years, fire incidents have become a big problem in the Philippines.

“Among the most common challenges encountered while responding to such fires especially in densely populated and residential areas are the delayed arrival of firefighters due to severe traffic congestion and their difficulty in accessing the fire-affected and congested sites due to minimal and low upgrade firefighting gears, equipment, and vehicles,” Frasco said.

In his resolution, Frasco emphasised the need to enhance the capabilities of the BFP, ensuring its responsiveness by upgrading the level of its fire protection services through the acquisition of modern equipment and vehicles like firefighting helicopters.

Alignment with the BFP Modernization Program

House Resolution 1686 aligns with the ongoing BFP Modernization Program, initiated under Republic Act No. 11589.

This program aims to enhance the capabilities of BFP personnel and improve the acquisition of advanced fire prevention, suppression, and emergency services equipment.

With his resolution, Deputy Speaker Frasco aims to advance the modernization of the BFP to better fulfil its mandate of ensuring public safety through the prevention and suppression of all types of fires, with community support.

IFSJ Comment

The push for firefighting helicopters by Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco represents a proactive approach to address the escalating fire incidents in the Philippines.

By enhancing the aerial firefighting capabilities, the proposal aims to significantly improve response times and operational effectiveness in urban areas, where traditional methods are often hindered by infrastructure constraints.

The potential inclusion of these helicopters in the BFP’s arsenal could set a new standard for firefighting across the nation, providing a faster, more efficient response to emergencies and potentially saving lives and properties.

A new era in aerial firefighting for Greece

Greece has entered into an agreement for enhancing its wildfire combating capabilities.

The country will acquire seven DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER™ aircraft through a government to government contract facilitated by CCC, involving De Havilland Canada (DHC).

This agreement also includes the provision of spare parts, training, and support, marking a substantial step forward in Greece’s emergency response and civil protection infrastructure.

The collaboration spans several entities, including CCC, DHC, the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (rescEU), and its member states.

It aims to bolster the EU’s firefighting fleet with Canadian-made aircraft, particularly in light of the challenging wildfire conditions experienced globally in 2023.

A legacy continued with innovation

The DHC-515 builds on the legacy of the Canadair CL-215 and CL-415, known for their durability and performance in firefighting missions.

The new aircraft promises to uphold the Canadian aerospace engineering quality, offering a significant advancement in the domain of aerial firefighting.

Kim Douglas, VP of Business Development and Marketing at CCC, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Canada is proud to bring De Havilland Canada’s superior, next generation aerial firefighting aircraft to Greece and to help the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection to combat wildfires.

“Canada understands the challenges Greece is facing, and we are here to provide practical tools to address the wildfires that threaten the security of its citizens.”

Karine Asselin, Canadian Ambassador to Greece, also expressed enthusiasm for the agreement: “We are thrilled that Greece and the CCC have concluded the agreement for the procurement of seven state-of-the-art firefighter aircraft from De Havilland Canada.

This aircraft is a crucial tool in the fight against the devastating effects of climate change, and Canada is proud to partner with Greece in years to come.”

Responding to a growing threat

The purchase comes in response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons, exacerbated by climate change.

The Greek government’s investment reflects a proactive approach to safeguarding communities and natural resources.

Jean-Philippe Côté, Vice President Programs at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Greece’s wildfire defense efforts: “We are pleased to be supplying these new aircraft to Greece to protect the communities and natural resources of the country.

“Greece has been flying CL-215 and CL-415 aircraft for nearly 50 years, and we look forward to continuing to support the Hellenic Air Force and the Civil Protection as they acquire these new DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft.”

IFSJ comment

This agreement between Greece and Canada, facilitated by CCC, for the acquisition of DHC-515 FIREFIGHTER™ aircraft represents a strategic investment in the face of escalating wildfire threats.

It underscores the importance of international collaboration and advanced technology in enhancing emergency response capabilities.

Bridger Aerospace’s fiscal year achievements

Bridger Aerospace, recognised as one of the leading aerial firefighting companies in the United States, announced its financial outcomes for the fourth quarter and the entire fiscal year concluding on December 31, 2023.

Despite encountering the slowest fire season in two decades, the company achieved a record revenue of nearly $67 million.

It also secured significant contract awards throughout the year, including a notable 5-year, $60 million fire surveillance and technology contract dedicated to the Department of Interior.

Furthermore, the company marked its first international deployment, covering more territory than ever before in its history.

Strategic expansions and technological advancements

The company’s strategic initiatives include the acquisition of four Super Scoopers from the Spanish Government through a Joint Venture Partnership, leading to the establishment of the Spanish subsidiary, Albacete Aero.

This move is aimed at managing the return to service of the acquired aircraft and enhancing the company’s fleet capabilities.

Bridger Aerospace’s recent contracts in software and surveillance technologies are set to offer a unique and competitive edge in the marketplace.

The company’s proactive deployment of Super Scooper and surveillance aircraft to Texas and Oklahoma further positions it for a record year of growth in 2024.

Financial outlook and CEO insights

Tim Sheehy, CEO of Bridger Aerospace, highlighted the company’s accomplishments in the fourth quarter, emphasising the strategic purchase of the Super Scoopers and the impact on future growth.

The company’s lean cost structure and early deployment strategy are pivotal for its 2024 outlook.

Sheehy also noted the ongoing wildfire challenges in North America, affirming Bridger Aerospace’s readiness to address these concerns with its comprehensive fleet.

For 2024, Bridger Aerospace anticipates an adjusted EBITDA growth exceeding 80%, aiming for a range between $35 million and $51 million, in alignment with previous forecasts.

IFSJ Comment

The strategic advancements and financial achievements of Bridger Aerospace reflect the company’s dedication to innovation and efficiency in aerial firefighting.

By expanding its fleet with the acquisition of Super Scoopers and venturing into international territories, Bridger sets a new standard for operational capacity and market competitiveness.

These efforts, coupled with technological enhancements in fire surveillance, position Bridger Aerospace as a formidable force in addressing the complex challenges of wildfire management.

As the industry evolves, Bridger’s proactive approach and strategic investments underscore the vital role of aerial firefighting companies in safeguarding communities and natural landscapes from the escalating threat of wildfires.