Australia’s aviation firefighters have condemned a proposal to sell off critical emergency service infrastructure as “bizarre” and potentially dangerous, warning it could put passenger safety at risk.
The United Firefighters Union of Australia – Aviation Branch has accused Airservices Australia of effectively attempting to privatise the nation’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) through a sale-and-leaseback model involving a sovereign wealth fund.
Under the proposal, aviation fire stations, specialised firefighting vehicles, training facilities and protective equipment would be transferred to a third-party commercial entity and leased back to Airservices under a long-term arrangement.
UFUAV Branch Secretary Wes Garrett said the move would commercialise a frontline emergency service designed to protect lives in high-risk scenarios.
“Aviation firefighting is not a money-making enterprise. It is a lifesaving emergency service,” Garrett said.
“The moment you introduce a profit motive, safety stops being the first priority.
“Australians expect world-class aviation rescue firefighters to come to their aid when something goes wrong, not an emergency service run according to a lowest bidder mentality designed to maximise returns for an investment fund.”
Garrett said the proposal would transfer ownership and management of critical aviation safety assets to a commercial operator whose primary obligation would be delivering returns to investors.
“We have seen this exercise attempted in other jurisdictions before. When profit becomes a central driver of decision-making, there is always inevitable pressure to cut costs.
“That will mean delaying maintenance on our specialised firefighting vehicles, reducing investment in equipment and facilities or underinvesting in operational readiness.”
He said the risks were particularly acute in aviation firefighting, where response times are critical.
“In an aircraft fire, passengers typically have only minutes to survive. International aviation standards require firefighters to reach an incident within three minutes because every second counts.
“If operational preparedness is compromised by cost-cutting or delayed maintenance, the consequences could be fatal.”
The union also warned that separating maintenance capability from operational firefighting functions would undermine what is currently an integrated emergency response system.
“Aviation firefighting works because the crews, vehicles, technicians and infrastructure operate as one integrated system,” Garrett said.
“Breaking that system apart introduces risk where none currently exists.”
The UFUAV also raised concerns about long-term costs, arguing the proposal would lock the Commonwealth into lease arrangements designed to deliver returns to investors.
“Privatisation schemes like this rarely save money. They shift public assets into private hands while taxpayers pay more over the long term,” Garrett said.
Airservices Australia has defended the proposal, saying it is aimed at accelerating investment in ageing firefighting infrastructure rather than changing frontline operations.
Airservices told Australian Flying many aviation rescue firefighting assets were approaching end of life, prompting the organisation to explore alternative funding models.
“With many of our firefighting assets at or approaching end of life, Airservices is exploring a cooperative arrangement that would enable us to access the funding required to modernise Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting service assets faster,” a spokesperson said.
“Under this proposal, an Australian strategic investment partner would own, maintain, improve and replace ARFF vehicles, equipment and facilities.
“The approach would accelerate investment in new assets without changing the work our people do.”
Airservices said it would retain responsibility for operations and safety.
“Airservices will continue to deliver ARFF, air traffic control and all enabling functions as required under the Air Services Act 1995, and retain full accountability for regulatory and safety compliance.”
The organisation said it had been consulting with stakeholders, including government, staff and union representatives, since December, and would continue engagement throughout April.