Third Emergency Services taskforce deployed to NSW

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) will tomorrow deploy a group of firefighters and emergency services personnel to western NSW.

Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said that a further 65 volunteer rural firefighters, ambulance paramedics, senior officers and support staff would relieve Queensland crews currently fighting fires in the region.

“The third QFRS taskforce will be deployed from the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy at Lytton tomorrow for western NSW,” Mr Purcell said.

“I would like to pay tribute to the Queensland crews, including the rural fire volunteers who continue to put their hand up to offer their support to their fellow firefighters in NSW.

“Our crews have been responsible for containing several fires around the Narrabri area, particularly in the Pilliga State Forest.”

The third deployment will include firefighters from the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture and Ipswich areas.

The second deployment, which is comprised mostly of firefighters from around the Bundaberg and Maryborough region, will return to Queensland on Sunday.

The third deployment will leave from the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy, 15 Howard Smith Dr, Whyte Island, Lytton, at 1.00pm, Saturday, December 9.

Media contacts:

Minister Purcell’s office:
Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.

Queensland Fire and Rescue Service media unit: 07 3247 8186.