The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) is sending eight disaster management experts to Canada this week.
This fourth deployment of NSW SES volunteers, the largest we’ve ever deployed, will be part of a new contingent of around 40 Australians joining the fight in Canada for up to six weeks.
The wildfires in Canada have been burning since March, and in June were declared the worst in Canada’s recorded history.
“At the NSW SES, we know that protracted campaigns put incredible strains on human resources,” NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York APM said.
“We’re proud to be able to offer the assistance of some of our most skilled members in this fourth deployment to Canada.”
Commissioner York praised the volunteers who have come from all over NSW.
“At short notice we’ve seen people put their hand up for this deployment – it wouldn’t be possible without the support of their workplaces, family and loved ones,” she said.
Gordon Honeyman from Hay in the state’s south will be heading off just days after his wife Aileen returned from a six-week Canada deployment with the NSW SES.
“I am deeply honoured to be able to help our international emergency services partners in their time of need,” Mr Honeyman said.
Aileen said she received such gratitude in Canada for her service.
“The Canadians just love you and are deeply appreciative of our assistance. They all treat you so well, with such respect. I made life-long friendships on the deployment,” she said.
Gary Whitaker from the Camden Haven Unit on the NSW Mid-North Coast is an SES and RFS veteran and said the deployment is a great example of a modern multi-agency, multi-hazard response.
“It shows the willingness and acceptability to have people from all agencies,” Mr Whitaker said.
Vanessa Schultz, who works at the NSW SES’s State Headquarters in Wollongong, said she was humbled to be part of the international effort.
“It’s been great to see the way everyone has rallied together to hit the ground running to help out people in need,” Ms Schultz said.
Graham Hemsworth from Yass is a dual NSW SES and RFS member who said volunteering in emergency services runs in the family.
“My daughter is a commander in the SES and my son is in the RFS. It’s a family thing,” Mr Hemsworth said.
“We’ve always seen that there’s always somebody that’s doing it tough. And especially in emergency scenarios. So that’s the reason why we do it.”
Carissa Thomson from the Yass Unit put her hand up to help out with the deployment.
“I’m lucky I’ve got a very supportive workplace. And they’re 100 percent behind me,” Ms Thomson said.
Kevern Hobman from Broken Hill in the state’s west has been with the NSW SES for more than 20 years will be part of the incident management team in Canada.
Mark Sekulic from the Grafton City Unit and Terence Siriwardena from the Dubbo SES Unit will also be part of the largest contingent deployed overseas by the NSW SES.
Deploying Members:
Mark Sekulic, Grafton
Terence Siriwardena, Dubbo
Kevern Hobman, Broken Hill
Carissa Thomson, Yass
Graham Hemsworth, Yass
Vanessa Shultz, SES State Headquarters
Gary Whittaker, Camden Haven
Gordon Honeyman, Hay
