AERIAL BOMBING OPERATION 2009
The following aircraft will be available to members during the 2009 Fire Season:-
(Aircraft will be placed out on Standby as Fire Weather dictates)
SHAFTON BASE - HEAD OFFICE
- 6 x Fixed Wing Bombers (3 x 2000 lt and 3 x 1500 lt Turbo Thrushes)
- 1 x Helicopter 3500 lt Mi8 MTV (WoF - Second call to KZNFPA)
- 4 x Spotters
WINTERTON BASE
- 1 x 2000 lt Fixed Wing Bomber
WEZA BASE
- 1 x 1000 lt Huey Helicopter
LANGENI BASE
- 1 x 1000 lt Huey Helicopter
UGIE BASE
- 1 x 3500 lt Mi8 MTV Helicopter
- 1 x Spotter
How to Call Midlands Aircraft?
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY PAID UP MEMBERS ARE ENTITLED TO CALL AIRCRAFT.
The KZNFPA co-ordinator will be standing by at the Op's Room on the official KZNFPA frequencies for any fire call.
If for any reason, the OP's Room cannot be contacted on these frequencies, it can be reached by dialing the following telephone number (033) 330 8421. After hours all calls will be re-directed to either Denise Bouwer or Simon Thomas's Cellular phones. Simon Thomas can be contacted 24hrs a day on 082-654 4943.
When a member calls for assistance, the following information will be required:-
· Name
· Company
· Plantation
· Position of Fire
· Number and type of aircraft to be used
· Fire Boss
· Radio Channel to be used e.g.. FireStop simplex.
· Membership number
After the call-up, the OP's Centre will dispatch the aircraft and arrange for the necessary logistical support. No further action in this regard, will be expected from the particular landowner.
A spotter aircraft will be dispatched together with the bombers / helicopters and all bombing instructions given by the fire boss, will have to be routed via the spotter.
We would like to bring it to the attention of all our members that, though the spotter pilots, due to a number of years experience in this field, will be able to provide the fire boss with valuable guidance, the responsibility for the decisions taken and the implementation thereof at the fire will remain the responsibility of the fire boss.
