Queensland firefighters deployed to South Australia

A group of Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) incident management personnel will today leave for bushfire-affected areas of South Australia.

The task force will consist of 13 Queensland firefighters, responding to a request from the Country Fire Service (CFS) in South Australia. They are expected to be based at Parndara on Kangaroo Island.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said the deployment would assist with South Australian firefighting efforts. NSW and Victorian firefighters have also been deployed.

“During a national hook up yesterday the CFS requested Queensland incident management staff and we are able to assist,” Mr Roberts said.

QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson said fire services across Australia had a proud tradition of assisting each other in times of need.

“The CFS is predicting the fire danger level to increase later this week,” Mr Johnson said.

“The bushfire threat in Queensland’s is not as high following the recent rains and humid weather, so we are in a position to provided support as required.”

The firefighters come from all around Queensland, including Maryborough, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Gympie, Roma, around Cairns and the Gold Coast.

Media Opportunity: Vision and interview opportunities will be available at Brisbane Airport (Virgin Blue) from 10.20-10.50am. Flight is scheduled to depart at 11.35am.

QFRS Media Office Chantelle Rule will be on site on (07) 3247 8186 or 0407 598 558