Released 21/09/2018
Today I recognised 12 ACT emergency services personnel deployed to assist with wildfires in the United States (US) and Canada at an event hosted by the ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner in Fairbairn.
In the US, ACT personnel joined crews from New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia as part of a 140-member Australian and New Zealand contingent that was based in 12 locations across Northern California and in the northwest of the US.
In Canada, ACT personnel joined a team of 67 New Zealand firefighters, as well as colleagues from the United States and Mexico to contain fires in Western Canada.
This morning’s event was a time for celebrating the safe return of our personnel, and an opportunity to hear about their experiences.
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.
While these deployments provided the US and Canadian firefighters some well-earned respite; it also provided our own personnel with invaluable experience, who bring back significant knowledge and experience.
I would also like to remind our community of their role in what may be a severe bushfire season. The seasonal outlook indicates that we are experiencing the most severe bushfire conditions since 2002‑03. Recent bushfire activity in New South Wales demonstrates the increased risk in the ACT.
To find out how you can #bebushfireready and receive alerts and warnings when a bushfire starts in the ACT visit esa.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases
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