QFES and SES crews respond to more than 500 call-outs during one week of flooding

The Palaszczuk Government today (Tuesday) praised the “tremendous response” of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services staff and volunteers to recent flooding emergencies in the state’s north and north-west.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford said the State Emergency Service (SES) alone responded to 466 call-outs – the vast majority in the Northern Region – during the week beginning March 5.

Mr Crawford – who inspected flood recovery efforts in the region last week - said QFES personnel also responded to more than 50 additional water-related incidents during the same period.

“A large number of the calls to the SES from March 5-12 were for sandbagging and flood assistance, particularly around Ingham, Halifax and Innisfail,” Mr Crawford said.

“Additionally, QFES responded to 53 call-outs - including for our highly-trained swift water rescue teams to assist with medical emergencies, evacuating and relocating residents, and transferring much-needed fuel supplies.

“Extra QFES crews were deployed to flood-affected areas to bolster the response capability – working shoulder-to-shoulder with local teams to firstly deal with the emergency call-outs, then assist with the clean-up.

“I’d like to publicly thank the tireless work of our QFES staff and volunteers, many who gave up their own time to help flood-affected communities across north and north-west Queensland.

“They worked long hours in wet, muddy and often trying conditions and their efforts in response to this event have been exemplary.

“Last week I travelled from Cairns south to Townsville, and out to Mount Isa, Cloncurry, McKinlay and Winton – and everywhere I went, the efforts of our crews earned high praise.

“Everyone was grateful for the support they received from QFES, with our personnel continuing to work closely with councils and Local Disaster Management Groups during the recovery phase,” Mr Crawford said.

QFES Commissioner Katarina Carroll, who travelled with Mr Crawford last week, said QFES was an organisation that encompassed a huge portion of emergency response.

“QFES personnel are with communities when they educate residents on how to prepare, and warn them about imminent threats,” Ms Carroll said.

“They respond and rescue people escaping danger and eventually help those communities clean-up and begin their journey to recovery.

“Our workforce of more than 48,000 staff and volunteers are with the community every step of the way and the flooding up north has been yet another example of the QFES workforce’s professionalism, dedication and commitment to helping local communities.

“Personnel deployed for this event from all corners of the State to help those who needed it and the response from our urban and rural firefighters as well as our SES volunteers ensured that the affected communities were kept safe and supported throughout.”

The SES can be contacted on 132 500 but if it is a life-threatening emergency call Triple Zero immediately.

ENDS

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