ANOTHER 16 QUEENSLAND FIREFIGHTERS EN ROUTE TO VICTORIA
Published Thursday, 26 February, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
An additional 16 Queensland Fire and Rescue incident management personnel have this afternoon been deployed to Belgrave in Victoria to assist with the bushfire effort, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts has announced.
Mr Roberts said the 16 were in addition to the 17 incident management personnel and two liaison officers who left Brisbane yesterday to help Victorian fire authorities respond to the ongoing bushfire threat.
“The group is expected to start its duties at 7am tomorrow,” Mr Roberts said.
“The team comprises situation, resource and information officers, staging area managers and staging area personnel.
“These officers come from rural and urban brigades across South East Queensland and are highly skilled and experienced firefighters.
“They will be replacing fatigued officers from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment who have been battling bushfires night and day for weeks.”
Mr Roberts said all Queensland officers would be deployed until March 3.
“I am advised that the two deployments, totalling 35 officers, are well within Queensland Fire and Rescue’s capabilities.
“In fact, planning has started to assemble a team to replace those currently deployed, should the Victorian authorities request further assistance.”
Mr Roberts said he wished the officers god’s speed.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of all Queenslanders when I say that our thoughts and prayers for a safe return are with them,” he said.
“Those thoughts and prayers also extend to all fire fighters battling these devastating bushfires as well as those Victorians whose homes and lives are threatened.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204
Mr Roberts said the 16 were in addition to the 17 incident management personnel and two liaison officers who left Brisbane yesterday to help Victorian fire authorities respond to the ongoing bushfire threat.
“The group is expected to start its duties at 7am tomorrow
“The team comprises situation, resource and information officers, staging area managers and staging area personnel.
“These officers come from rural and urban brigades across South East Queensland and are highly skilled and experienced firefighters.
“They will be replacing fatigued officers from the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment who have been battling bushfires night and day for weeks.”
Mr Roberts said all Queensland officers would be deployed until March 3.
“I am advised that the two deployments, totalling 35 officers, are well within Queensland Fire and Rescue’s capabilities.
“In fact, planning has started to assemble a team to replace those currently deployed, should the Victorian authorities request further assistance.”
Mr Roberts said he wished the officers god’s speed.
“I am sure I speak on behalf of all Queenslanders when I say that our thoughts and prayers for a safe return are with them,” he said.
“Those thoughts and prayers also extend to all fire fighters battling these devastating bushfires as well as those Victorians whose homes and lives are threatened.”
Media contact: Scott Chandler on 0488 096 204