The newest helicopter to join the National Parks and Wildlife Service’s (NPWS) air wing will allow the agency to more effectively prepare for and respond to bushfires.
Minister for the Environment Matt Kean attended the arrival of the new aircraft $5.6 million Airbus H125, which is expected to increase the ability of NPWS to manage hazard reduction activities and respond to brushfires.
“We have increased the firefighting capacity of NPWS to record levels and this aircraft will be critical in supporting those frontline NPWS staff to keep us safe and manage an ever-increasing parks network,” Mr. Kean said. “It is critical NPWS has all of the tools it needs to adequately manage the park's estate and an elevated risk of bushfire.”
This highly customized helicopter is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics, specialized operational equipment, safety equipment, specialized radios and a winch.
Joining a fleet of four similarly outfitted aircraft operated by the NPWS air wing which is known as “ParkAir,” this new H125 will also be used in support of missions such as: hazardous fuel reduction burns, observation, baiting, weed spraying, construction, pest management, and wildlife surveys.
