Australian families have been left to fight fires unsupported due to shortages in essential firefighting aircraft. "We know aircraft don't put out the fires, but they give you a fighting chance to save life and property", says Greg Mullins, former Commissioner for NSW Fire and Rescue. Australia relies on leased aircraft from all over the world, particularly from North America. This is becoming risky as their fire season grows longer and increasingly overlaps with Australia's. Natural disasters and prohibitive weather conditions mean that access to other international aviation resources also cannot be guaranteed. "We need our own aircraft to fight our own fires ourselves", says pilot Dom James, whose voice is among many pleading with the government.