THE STATE Government has welcomed an $11 million federal boost to the national aerial firefighting fleet. The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Mark Shelton, said the funding is a critical part of protecting the Tasmanian community during bushfire season. ‘Aerial firefighting plays an important role in protecting communities, property and lives during bushfires by supporting the hard work of the firefighters on the ground,’ he said. ‘Aircraft were deployed to over 40 fires in Tasmania during last fire season, with the longest duration fires in Fingal, Swansea and at Strathgordon being very resource intensive.’