Major employer joins forces with CFS

Kimberly-Clark Australia (KCA), one of South Australia’s leading manufacturers, has stepped in to assist South Australian (SA) Country Fire Service (CFS) to combat fires in the fire danger season.

As part of SA CFS preparedness, open water sources situated in or near fire risk areas are assessed to determine if they’re suitable for firefighting aircraft to use, with a view to filling up and delivering water to fires in the shortest time possible.

Having such water sources available and approved for use can make a significant difference in keeping pine and dense scrub fires small, particularly in the forests around Mount Burr and Tantanoola.

Recognising the importance of SA CFS’ service to the region, Kimberly-Clark Australia has made one of the largest water treatment ponds at its paper mill in Millicent available for firefighting, with a source assessment carried out in January 2024.

With low height operations involving considerable risk for firefighting crews, part of the assessment involved a helicopter conducting a test run at the treatment pond, with two hover fills and water bombing drops successfully carried out.

Kimberly-Clark Australia mill manager Adam Carpenter said the company and its employees have a long history of supporting the South Australian CFS, both with ready access to water for tankers and with a number of employees volunteering at local brigades.

“We understand how important CFS’ service is to the region, so when they asked if we could support aerial firefighting activities by providing access to a clean water source, we were quick to say yes,” Mr carpenter said. “The trials conducted have demonstrated that the water from our treatment pond is safe for use and can be easily accessed by the CFS fleet, making it a great firefighting resource – and we’re proud to be playing a supporting role in the region’s firefighting efforts.”

SA Country Fire Service manager aviation operations Nik Stanley said the opportunity for them to use the water treatment ponds at Kimberly-Clark’s Millicent Mill would provide them with a significant advantage in our firefighting operations in the south east of South Australia during the bushfire season.

“This level of cooperation between the CFS and local industry delivers significant benefit to the wider community,” he said.

The partnership comes as a new fleet of SA Country Fire Service aerial firefighting aircraft takes to the skies of South Australia’s Lower South East – with three Air Tractor AT-802 fixed-wing bombing aircraft, two Squirrel helicopters (Air Attack Supervisor & Air Observer platforms) and one Blackhawk Helitak 515 helicopter now in service.

The Blackhawk Helitak 515 is new to the area and requires the ability to access suitable open water sources to hover fill. The filling process takes less than 60 seconds and loads approx. 4000 litres of water.

The CFS is an all-hazards agency responding to bushfire, building fire, road crash rescue and hazardous material spills.

The CFS works alongside National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, Farm Fire Units, SA Metropolitan Fire Service, State Emergency Service, and with local government to help with strategies for fuel reduction and to educate the community about bushfires and fire safety.