News & Information

Australian and NZ Firefighters Respond to US Call for Help

Thursday 10 July 2008

Ewan Waller, Chair of the ANZ Forest Fire Management Group announced today that a contingent of Australian and New Zealand forest firefighters will help to support the USA fire agencies to tackle fires in California.

“We are preparing to provide support in the management of these wildfires,” Mr Waller said.

“The initial contingent will be comprised of approximately 44 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand.

“The fire agencies are currently identifying suitably qualified firefighters to work in aviation, operational and liaison roles.

Firefighter movements, travel arrangements and contact with family will be coordinated at the integrated Emergency Coordination Centre in Melbourne.

“People should be in no doubt that Australian and New Zealand firefighters are in high demand worldwide, Mr Waller said.

“We deploy people not only as a way of sharing our forest firefighting experience, but to develop skills and provide invaluable experience that they bring back to their home country.

“A number of firefighters that were deployed to the USA in 2006 took on leadership roles and some were responsible for managing large crews of up to 600 people.

“We must remember that any deployment needs to be done safely and efficiently, and with consideration of the fact that these firefighters will need to be well rested coming into our Australasian summer,” Mr Waller said.

Fire fighters can expect to be away for up to five weeks at a time and may be camping in remote locations.

“The request for support is early and points to a particularly lengthy fire season in the USA,”
Mr Waller said.

“This make the support of international fire agencies all the more critical,” Mr Waller said.

Source: FOREST FIRE MANAGEMENT GROUP - Forestry and Forest Products Committee; Primary Industries Council meadia release