Look to the skies and keep your eyes on the prize – your classroom could have a chance to name Australia’s newest aerial firefighting plane.
Students from class groups in years 5 to 8 across rural and regional schools are invited to participate in a naming competition to welcome the arrival of the first national Large Air Tanker (LAT) acquired by the Liberal and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s Government.
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the naming competition provides an opportunity to get future generations involved with, and thinking about, disaster preparedness.
“This competition will give young Australians the opportunity to name the Large Air Tanker which has been instrumental in fighting bushfires this disaster season,” Minister McKenzie said.
“The winning class will have their nominated name displayed on the Large Air Tanker ahead of the 2022/23 high risk weather season, which traditionally starts in summer, and a chance to have their input in the design of the signage.
“The high risk weather season can vary across states and territories, and the Large Air Tanker will be here to accommodate the early starts and late finishes to these fire seasons.
“The winning name will be displayed on the aircraft until 2024, when the current contract ends.
“To further celebrate the success, the winning class will have an article included in the Australian Journal of Emergency Management’s April 2022 edition.
“This aircraft delivers extraordinary capabilities, including the ability to reach almost anywhere in the country within hours, and drop 15,000 litres of retardant or water on a fire when it reaches the fires.
“The Large Air Tanker, initially based in Western Australia this disaster season, has been invaluable in protecting lives and property.
“We’ve already seen devastating bushfires in Western Australia, and the Large Air Tanker has completed over 50 drops this disaster season. We know that being prepared with an aerial firefighting capability to support ground crews makes a significant difference to our response.
“The aircraft can be deployed to wherever it’s needed, whenever it’s needed.
“Where the Large Air Tanker is based is determined by a comprehensive assessment of the fire risk by jurisdictional Fire Commissioners and Chiefs and the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Aerial Firefighting Centre, putting it closest to those areas expected to face the greatest threat.
“This aircraft is delivering invaluable assistance in fire suppression, and it’s the integration with the hard work of firefighters on the ground, along with a well-prepared community, that makes the difference.
“We all have a role to play in disaster preparedness, and this is just one way you can get involved,” Minister McKenzie said.
Entries for the Large Air Tanker naming competition are now open. Visit the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience
