Two more Western Australian Emergency Services teams will be deployed to New South Wales this morning, as part of a national call for extra assistance in response to the major flooding disaster.
A seven-member Incident Management team and a six-member Community Liaison Unit from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services have been formed and include personnel from the Pilbara, Great Southern, Lower South West and Perth metropolitan areas.
The two teams will be deployed for seven days and join 11 Western Australian colleagues who flew to New South Wales last week for the emergency response.
The WA Community Liaison Unit will be part of a 60-strong team brought in from all around Australia.
The local contingent comprises three DFES staff members, one from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and two SES volunteers. They will be based in Lismore in northern New South Wales and will play a critical role keeping the community safe with the latest advice on flood waters and evacuation.
The WA Incident Management team comprises six DFES staff members and one SES volunteer. Their expertise in incident control, planning and intelligence will be crucial for the safety of the northern New South Wales community of Taree, which has also been devastated by flooding.
Both WA teams will work alongside the New South Wales State Emergency Service.
New South Wales has been rocked by catastrophic floods, with six people confirmed dead and nearly 1000 homes so far declared uninhabitable.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The aftermath of the flooding in both northern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland has been heartbreaking.
“Our thoughts are with all of those who have been impacted by these devastating floods.
“The McGowan Government stands ready to offer any support needed in this emergency response and to assist communities in the huge clean-up and recovery task ahead.
“I’m proud the Western Australian response contingent has now grown to 24 people and I have every confidence their expertise and experience in a wide range of roles will be crucial in keeping communities safe during the flood recovery.”
As stated by Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
“Major flooding continues to batter northern New South Wales so it is imperative that extra resources are flown in from other States to bolster the emergency response.
“The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has a team of extraordinary staff and volunteers who are driven to protect communities in emergency situations like this.
“I am incredibly proud that 13 more Emergency Services personnel have put their hands up to join 11 of their West Australian colleagues already in northern New South Wales to help these flood-affected jurisdictions in their time of need.”
