The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) of Australia has awarded the operation and maintenance of its recently acquired Bell 412 fleet, as part of an existing 10-year contract with Coulson Aviation Pty.

Coulson Aviation Pty has also moved its Australian headquarters from Melbourne to Bankstown in Sydney, securing a 1,114 sqm hangar facility. The new Australian home-base means Coulson Aviation can leave its Sikorsky S61 firebombing helicopter fleet in Australia year-round to support any operational needs as they arise.

Coulson Group CEO Wayne Coulson, said the family company continues to build on and invest in Australia, where Coulson Aviation has operated from for more than 19 years. “We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with RFS, providing it with our long history of operational excellence and a safety-first focus,” Wayne Coulson said.

Coulson Group co-president Foster Coulson said Australia was a second home for both the company and many of the team members who worked with them, given a long-standing firefighting partnership across multiple states.

Sydney was a logical base with the long-term NSW contract commitment in place.

“Coulson Aviation has more than 36 years experience in aerial fire suppression across the globe, and we are proud to continue supporting NSW RFS with essential services during bushfire seasons,” Foster Coulson said. “Australia had a fierce fire season this past summer and as New South Wales marks the end of the most devastating bushfire season in this state's history, our teams are committed to continue to protect community members.”