AUSTRALIAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAM GAINS

The Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Queensland Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts have welcomed the international accreditation of a Queensland Urban Search and Rescue team.

A team of United Nations evaluators has officially accredited the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service Urban Search and Rescue taskforce, following its participation in this week’s counter-terrorism exercise Mercury08.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) team is the first in the country to be accredited and will enable Australia to provide assistance to disaster sites around the world.

Minister for Emergency Services Neil Roberts said the accreditation was an acknowledgement of the world-class skills possessed by the crack QFRS squad.

“Being able to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of a disaster can make the difference between life and death,” Mr Roberts said.

“This week we witnessed first-hand the expert skills possessed by the Urban Search and Rescue taskforce as they responded to a mock catastrophe as part of Mercury08.

“This accreditation by United Nations evaluators is testament to their abilities.

“It means the taskforce can now use their prowess to save lives across the world.”

Mr McClelland said: “As we saw during the Sichuan earthquake in May and the Boxing Day Tsunami of 2005, our region faces the threat of large-scale natural disasters which will only increase due to the effects of climate change.

“This accreditation recognises that the Queensland taskforce can be ready and deployed within 72 hours, which is the vital time period for saving lives in the aftermath of a disaster.”

The Commonwealth provided much of the equipment used by the taskforce as part of a $15 million contribution to national capability.

“Australia takes its responsibilities in the region seriously and this highly specialised capability will be available for us to provide in times of need,” Mr McClelland said.

“The Queensland Government took this initiative because we recognise the benefit it can provide to Australia and the region.

“The National Counter-Terrorism Committee’s Mercury08 exercise has provided an excellent opportunity to test the taskforce’s skills and techniques and they’ve come through with great success.”

Within 18 months the New South Wales Fire Brigade is also expected to undergo accreditation as a heavy deployable Urban Search and Rescue taskforce.

Note to Editors – Not for publication.

Live footage and stills of the taskforce at Mercury08 are available on request.

Media contacts: Jessica Lawrence, Neil Roberts’ office 3247 8992 or 0400 708 526

Adam Sims, Mr McClelland’s office, 0419 480 224