The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) has deployed two members to Canada today to assist with an international effort to contain out of control wildfires that continue to rage across the country.
Tony Morris from NSW SES Bathurst unit and Phillip Sheils from NSW SES Gosford unit will deploy to British Columbia where they will provide skilled logistics and finance support to Canadian firefighters throughout the response.
The two volunteers are part of a 16-strong contingent, which includes emergency services personnel from NSW SES, NSW RFS, Forestry NSW and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Parks and Wildlife Service.
NSW SES acting Commissioner Debbie Platz APM commended the volunteers for their skills and willingness to support the international effort.
“NSW SES volunteers and staff supported Canadian authorities during the wildfire response last year, so I’m very proud to see them joining the effort to assist again,” Acting Commissioner Platz said.
“Deployments like this demonstrate the enthusiasm, diverse proficiencies and versatility of our members in supporting emergency operations.
“The now multi-year requests for support, show that NSW SES operational skills are highly regarded in international settings and the diverse capabilities held by our NSW SES volunteers and staff can be applied well beyond floods, storms and tsunamis.”
The deployment is set to last five weeks and will include sourcing, securing and coordinating everything from personnel, and resources on the ground, to accommodation, food and water for frontline personnel.
Tony Morris is the Deputy Unit Commander in the NSW SES’s Western Zone Capability Unit and will be deployed for the second time after helping during the Canadian wildfire response last year.
“The deployment is a great example of a modern multi-agency, multi-hazard response. There are a lot of support roles and skills that go into managing a big event like this and I’m excited to assist my emergency service counterparts again, Senior Group Officer Morris said.
“It’s very fast paced, and you have to think on your feet to get things done efficiently and effectively. Having been involved in the effort last year, I can help show newly deployed personnel the ropes and work to get everybody settled in and productive very quickly.”
Phillip Sheils is the Deputy Rescue Officer at NSW SES’s Gosford Unit and said he was deeply honoured to be able to help international emergency services partners in their time of need.
“It’s been fantastic to see the way everyone in the organisation has rallied together to help out communities in need,” Leading Senior Operator Sheils said.
“Canadian authorities need more resources and people on the ground, so if my contribution helps them in some way, I’m happy to do it. It’s a great learning opportunity to work alongside highly skilled and capable people from other emergency service agencies.”
The wildfires in Canada have been raging since February and have so far burned more than 1.4 million hectares of land.
The 2023 wildfire season in Canada was the worst on record, with fires scorching more than 18 million hectares.
