Firefighting helicopters will take to the sky at night in Victoria next summer after a successful Australia-first trial.
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The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has given Victoria’s emergency services the green light to use firebombing helicopters at night during bushfire season following the trial in Ballarat in February.
“The ability to fight fires at night is a game-changer and this is a fantastic outcome,” Emergency Management Commissioner Craig Lapsley said.
Acting Emergency Services Minister and Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney said night water bombing would save precious time in responding to fire incidents.
“We’re delivering the latest, cutting-edge firefighting technology to keep Victorians safe from the threat of fire in time for next summer,” she said.
“When fire strikes, every second counts. From next summer, our hardworking emergency services personnel will be able to fight fires around the clock.”