5 April 2011
For immediate release
Australia improves aviation safety by providing eleven aviation fire trucks
Australia will officially hand over eleven aviation and rescue fire fighting vehicles to the National Airports Corporation (NAC) to improve emergency response capabilities in Papua New Guinea.
The eleven vehicles arrived in Lae from Australia and will be located at various airports around Papua New Guinea including two each in Lae, Madang, Rabaul and Mount Hagen and one in Goroka, Wewak and Alotau.
Australia, through Airservices Australia and AusAID donated the fire trucks and provided their transport to PNG. The agencies also provided mechanical maintenance, operation training in PNG and Australia and the fit-out of the vehicles with standard fire fighting equipment.
Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, Ian Kemish said the project showed how Australia was again delivering immediate benefits and tangible outcomes in PNG.
“This means that if the worst case scenario occurs, as they can all over the world, these seven PNG airports are now better placed to be able to respond more effectively to an emergency situation,” Mr Kemish said.
Airservices Australia General Manager of Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting, Andrew Rushbrook, said the project reflected how closely Australian and PNG agencies are working to improve airport safety.
“Just last week Australia and PNG opened the new aviation communication and data link between Port Moresby and Brisbane airports. Domestically, air travel is a crucial lifeline in Papua New Guinea and I am pleased we can assist with the provision of appropriate equipment to make it as safe as possible,” Mr Rushbrook said.
In accepting the fire trucks, the Managing Director of the National Airports Corporation Joe Kintau said the handover represented a significant safety enhancement for the seven PNG airports.
“These fire and rescue vehicles enhance the safety of our airports which means they will help us achieve the international standards required at our main aviation hubs.
Mr Kintau also thanked the Australian Government for its ongoing assistance in the transport sector.