The 12 ACT Emergency Services personnel who went overseas to fight wildfires in the United States and Canada have been recognised at a special event hosted by ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner, Dominic Lane, in Fairbairn.
Personnel from the ACT joined crews from NSW, Queensland, and South Australia as part of a 140-member Australian and New Zealand contingent based in 12 locations across Northern California and in the north-west of the US.
In Canada, ACT personnel joined a team of 67 New Zealand firefighters, as well as colleagues from the US and Mexico, to contain the fires.
Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Mick Gentleman said the event was a time for celebrating the safe return of the personnel.
“The taskforce worked seamlessly with international teams across the US and Canada to help manage the fires they were tasked to and should be very proud of their efforts,” Mr Gentleman said.
“While these deployments provided the US and Canadian firefighters some well-earned respite, it also provided our own personnel with invaluable experience.”
He reminded Canberrans of their role in what may be a severe bushfire season this year.
“The seasonal outlook indicates that we are experiencing the most severe bushfire conditions since 2002‑03,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Recent bushfire activity in NSW demonstrates the increased risk in the ACT,” he said.
