More than just your average fire crew

Airservices Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) Melbourne crew were recently called upon to assist with the control of a major industrial fire in West Footscray, VIC, which started on 30 August 2018 and lasted about five days.

The Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) made a mutual aid request to ARFFS Melbourne for assistance to control the threat to public safety the fire and smoke plume presented to local communities. The crews that took part have received thanks and praise from both Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) and the MFB for their support.

ARFFS Melbourne Acting Operations Manager, Matt Crowley, is proud of his crews’ professionalism throughout this operation working together with the local fire and emergency agencies.

“At ARFFS we have some fairly specialised equipment that proved invaluable in this instance,” Matt Crowley said.

“Specifically, our Mk8 Ultra Large Fire Vehicles have the ability to project firefighting agent further than 80 meters, which was invaluable in helping to combat this fire.

“For our crews, being able to use their skills in helping to protect the local community has been a great opportunity,” he said.

Posted on: September 10, 2018

More news
Related topics

Airservices provides safe, secure, efficient and environmentally responsible services to the aviation industry.

Airservices Australia to complete detailed design and community engagement for Western Sydney International Airport flight paths

Airservices Australia is set to complete the detailed design of the airspace and flight paths for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI), ensuring operational safety and noise management principles are central to aircraft operations at Australia’s newest major gateway. The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has today authorised the preliminary […]

Airservices Australia Releases April Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for April 2025. Highlights include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by […]

Airservices Australia Releases March Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for March 2025. Highlights include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by […]

Airservices Australia Releases February Australian Aviation Network Overview 

Airservices Australia has released its Australian Aviation Network Overview report for February 2025. Highlights include: About AirservicesAirservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by […]