On Friday (30^th Jan), Rivers Unit deployed two airbase operators to Merimbula, NSW to help provide ground support to the air attack operations at the Jingera Rock fire. 

 

Ben Morey and Vicki Munslow (both (relatively) newly-trained airbase operators with Rivers Unit), worked with a NSW Rural Fire Service team from Gosford (Aviation Unit) and a member of the ACT Rural Fire Service, to fill (and frequently refill) the storage tanks of fixed-wing air attack fire bombers (Air Tractor 802) with a liquid fire retardant (known as Phos-Chek), to enable them to bomb the Jingera Rock Fire from the air.  

 

In a seemingly constant barrage, that left none of the ground crew with time out for breaks or rest-stops, they worked tirelessly to marshal the seemingly constant traffic flow of Air Tractors in to the RFS zone (that is outside the Western gable markers) of Merimbula Airport and then fill the underbellies of the aircraft with the ochre-coloured, liquid flame retardant so that they could continue to coral and help to contain the fire from the air. 

 

Both Vicki and Ben agree that it was a very tiring and physically trying task, but one that was very worthwhile. The Gosford RFS crew were very helpful and actively encouraged the Rivers members to fully engage in the task of filling aircraft with retardant and foam.  Despite the fact that the ground crew were comprised of members from different Australian states (territories) and were from different services, the whole team worked as one cohesive unit to ensure that the aircraft were able to rapidly and smoothly do their jobs.

 

The deployed Rivers Unit members returned to Canberra on Sunday (1^st Feb).

 

Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Jingera Fire page for more information on the NSW south coast blaze.