Aerial water bombers a 'critical tool but not the only tool' during bushfires, says fire chief

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A group of former fire chiefs has been warning governments for months that we need to be better prepared, including calling for more large-scale and very expensive water bombers.

Following the devastating bushfires in NSW and QLD, calls for fire services to be better equipped for this era of unprecedented disasters are holding more weight.

More than 20 former fire and emergency bosses say they have been warning governments about the heightened fire danger risk, and wanted to bring in more water bombers to help this fire season. Former New South Wales Fire and Rescue chief Greg Mullins says large-scale water bombers can be a decisive weapon in fighting fires.

But is bigger necessarily better and what are the most effective tools for fighting catastrophic fires? Stuart Ellis is the CEO of the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services or AFAC and he tells ABC's Mandy Presland about the methods and effectiveness of aerial firefighting.About ABC NEWS on radio

 

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