The National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) co-ordinates the procurement of firefighting aircraft on behalf of the States and Territories of Australia.
NAFC was incorporated in July 2003 and represents New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Australian Capital Territory.
History of NAFC
The use of aircraft for aerial firefighting has grown in Australia over recent years. Following a number of serious bushfires that affected Australia, Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments decided to develop a joint approach to manage aerial firefighting to improve operational performance and cost effectiveness nationally.
As a result, the then Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services (DoTaRS) and the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) produced a National Aerial Firefighting Strategy. This strategy envisaged a national cooperative arrangement to enhance aerial firefighting resources and resource sharing across Australia.
The Australian Government subsequently provided funding to assist State and Territory Governments with aerial firefighting. This funding has supported a shift in focus to larger capacity aircraft and an impetus towards national arrangements.
"This is a sign of strong cooperation between the Commonwealth, the states and the territories. By working cooperatively to pool our resources, governments in all jurisdictions can get the maximum value for money and ensure that Australians are protected by the best aerial firefighting equipment possible.”
Robert McClelland, Federal Attorney General
Chair:
Mr Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner, NSW Rural Fire Service
Secretary:
Ms Naomi Brown, CEO, Australasian Fire & Emergency Service Authorities Council
Treasurer:
Mr Craig Hynes, Chief Operations Officer, Fire & Emergency Services Authority, Western Australia
Directors:
Ms Naomi Brown, CEO, Australasian Fire Authorities Council
Mr Craig Hynes, Chief Operations Officer, Fire & Emergency Services Authority, Western Australia
Mr Euan Ferguson, CEO, SA Country Fire Service
Mr Shane Fitzsimmons, Commissioner, New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Mr Mike Brown, Deputy Chief Officer, Tasmania Fire Service
Mr Lee Johnson, Commissioner, Queensland Fire & Rescue Service
Mr Mark Crosweller, Commissioner, ACT ESA, ACT