QUEENSLAND TASKFORCE TO ARRIVE HOME

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s first bushfire taskforce team will arrive home today, after leaving to assist NSW firefighters last week.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said the group of 150 urban and rural firefighters, ambulance paramedics, senior officers and support staff have been battling several blazes in the Narrabri and Coonabarabran region.

“The NSW fire service requested the Queensland team last week to relieve exhausted crews who have battling ongoing bushfires for several weeks,” he said.

“A second QFRS taskforce, which is expected to comprise 55 firefighters and support staff, will be deployed from the Queensland Combined Emergency Serviced Academy at Lytton tomorrow for western NSW.”

Mr Purcell said a small team of key personnel have remained in NSW to facilitate the change over between taskforces.

The first taskforce will arrive home:
When: Tuesday, December 5, approx 4.30pm
Where: Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, 15 Howard Smith Dr, Lytton

Media contacts:
Minister Purcell – Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service media – 07 3247 8186.