Tangent Link's portfolio of Aerial Fire Fighting events, are now firmly regarded as the worlds leading conference on the subject. The event in Australia will be the third in the series, the last one being held in Anaheim, California where over 200 delegates heard experts from USA and Canada, South America, Russia, Australia and Asia.  The speakers discussed and debated many aspects of both fixed wing and rotary aerial fire fighting operations, including how to combat life-threatening wild fires in a world of changing climate conditions as well as maintaining sustainable air fleets during a global economic financial crisis.

Fixed and rotary-winged aircraft have been deployed for fighting wildfires in Australia for many years. The Australian Government provides annual funding for aerial firefighting and, following the devastating bushfires of Black Saturday in February 2009, the Government has announced funding of A$41 million to complement the contributions by State and Territory Governments.

In the wake of Australia's worst bushfire disaster in living memory and just following the Bushfire Royal Commission interim report in August 2009, the organisers of the Aerial Firefighting Forum will host an important one-day forum just prior to the AFAC Conference 2009  - which is supported by Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC); Bushfire CRC; Fire Protection Association of Australia (FPA Australia); Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) & International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC).

The Keynote Address will be provided by the Honourable Robert McClelland MP, Attorney-General and the forum will be chaired by Euan Ferguson - Chairman AFAC & Chief Officer - South Australian Country Fire Service.  Presentations will include international aerial operators and expert contributions from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and USA, amongst others. 

The Aerial Fire Fighting Australia Forum will take place immediately prior to the Australian AFAC/Bushfire CRC Conference 2009, and is proudly sponsored by rotorcraft manufacturer and aerial fire fighting specialists, Erickson Air-Crane.

Attending both these events will provide you  with an excellent opportunity to get a full appreciation of the unique Australian issues surrounding aerial suppression of Wildland fires.

As well as discussing Australias unique issues on tackling fires from the air, the forum will address aerial operations across the Asia Pacific region and in North America.  An internationally renowned assembly of speakers from Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and the US will give their views on a range of aspects of fighting fires from the air including equipment and technology, operations and safety.  A draft conference program is available.

View the Conference Program

For more information go to www.tangentlink.com