Three personnel from the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and nine members of the SA Country Fire Service (CFS) have gone to Victoria to assist with the flooding events the state is suffering.
Part of a national resource sharing arrangement, the travelling team is made up of experienced incident management personnel, with both staff and volunteers crossing the border to assist in incident management centres along the River Murray.
State Duty Commander with CFS, Ray Jackson said the deployment interstate demonstrated the Service’s capabilities as an “all-hazards response agency”.
“Victoria is experiencing unprecedented floods and, as the lead agency in South Australia for incident management, we had no hesitation in answering the call for help,” Mr Jackson said.
“The contingent we are sending over have a broad range of incident management skills in things like planning, logistics and resourcing,” he said.
“We provide specialist training to our personnel so that we can quickly respond to emergency incidents, not only in South Australia but interstate and overseas as well.”
Staff Officer with CFS, James Honner said he was eager to hit the ground and assist where he can.
“Fires and floods may seem like worlds apart, but at the end of the day you are there to provide specialist support and put your skills to work, regardless of the incident.” Mr Honner said.
“This will be my second interstate deployment, and each one brings with it unique responsibilities and challenges,” he said.
“It’s not always an easy thing to do, being dropped in the middle of an emergency incident, but it is incredibly rewarding to know I am doing my part to help.”
Minister for Emergency Services, Joe Szakacs, said it was wonderful to see South Australia’s emergency services so willing to help their interstate counterparts in their time of need.
“It is a testament to the experience and professionalism of the volunteers and staff within the CFS that they are able to aid other agencies interstate with minimal notice,” Mr Szakacs said.
The DEW and CFS personnel are being deployed in Victoria for seven days with further requests for additional deployments being considered.
