Queensland firefighters to lend a hand to Victorian comrades
Published Wednesday, 25 February, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
Nineteen Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) officers are heading to Victoria today to assist with the bushfire effort.
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the dispatch of the incident management team followed previous offers to assist Victorian firefighters.
“Like all Australians I have kept a very close watch on the Victorian bush fire situation and have been in personal contact with my counterpart in Victoria, Bob Cameron, as to how Queensland could assist,” Mr Roberts said.
“Queensland has some of the most skilled urban and rural fire officers in Australia and I have no doubt this team will prove to be of immense value to the on-going fight to save lives and property in Victoria.”
QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson said the bushfire devastation in Victoria had taken its toll on local services and Queensland firefighters were more than willing to lend a hand.
“These fires have been burning for more than two weeks now and Victorian emergency services have been battling blazes night and day,” Commissioner Johnson said.
“Fighting fires is physically and emotionally taxing and Queensland firefighters are ready to help out exhausted comrades.
“The firefighting fraternity within Australia is like a big family, always ready to assist and support our fellow firefighters at a moments notice.
“Now that the call has been made, we are sending a highly skilled team of 19 to help out with incident management tasks in Bellgrave.
“These officers come from all over Queensland and are some of our most highly trained officers in rural operations.”
Commissioner Johnson said officers in the incident management team came from across Queensland.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3427 8997, DES media on (07) 3247 8186
Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the dispatch of the incident management team followed previous offers to assist Victorian firefighters.
“Like all Australians I have kept a very close watch on the Victorian bush fire situation and have been in personal contact with my counterpart in Victoria, Bob Cameron, as to how Queensland could assist,” Mr Roberts said.
“Queensland has some of the most skilled urban and rural fire officers in Australia and I have no doubt this team will prove to be of immense value to the on-going fight to save lives and property in Victoria.”
QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson said the bushfire devastation in Victoria had taken its toll on local services and Queensland firefighters were more than willing to lend a hand.
“These fires have been burning for more than two weeks now and Victorian emergency services have been battling blazes night and day,” Commissioner Johnson said.
“Fighting fires is physically and emotionally taxing and Queensland firefighters are ready to help out exhausted comrades.
“The firefighting fraternity within Australia is like a big family, always ready to assist and support our fellow firefighters at a moments notice.
“Now that the call has been made, we are sending a highly skilled team of 19 to help out with incident management tasks in Bellgrave.
“These officers come from all over Queensland and are some of our most highly trained officers in rural operations.”
Commissioner Johnson said officers in the incident management team came from across Queensland.
Media contact: Scott Chandler on (07) 3427 8997, DES media on (07) 3247 8186