Three more specialist teams from Western Australia – including 16 SES volunteers – have put their hands up to help disaster-stricken communities in northern New South Wales as the State continues to manage catastrophic flooding.
Another 29 emergency services personnel travelled east this morning as part of a request for assistance from the NSW State Emergency Service.
A group of 16 SES volunteers from WA will be dispersed across flood-affected towns to lift the burden on local crews.
Days of record-breaking rainfall in NSW have seen populated areas devastated by floodwaters and tragically eight lives have been lost and thousands of homes damaged.
NSW SES has responded to more than 16,000 calls for emergency assistance.
The WA SES contingent, led by a DFES Taskforce Leader, will work in four teams of four, responding to requests for assistance and helping with the clean-up effort.
An Incident Management Team made up of 10 Department of Fire and Emergency Services personnel (DFES) will replace the first group of Western Australians deployed to Lismore on March 4.
The team is made up of personnel from every corner of WA, from the Kimberley to the Great Southern. A DFES Jurisdictional Liaison Team is travelling to Wollongong to help allocate resources to where they are needed most.
Returning members of the initial Incident Management Team will complete COVID-19 testing requirements before travelling back to WA tomorrow.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Many communities in New South Wales are going through a very rough time as they try to pick up the pieces from record flooding.
“Western Australia stands in support of those affected on the east coast and we will do all we can to help them stay safe and recover from this catastrophe.
“The McGowan Government will continue to offer any help our counterparts on the east coast need.
“I am very proud of our WA career and volunteer emergency services personnel who always step up to help.
“WA has now sent more than 50 emergency services personnel to support response and recovery efforts in northern NSW.”
As stated by Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
“I am incredibly proud our Emergency Services personnel have stepped up during this time of need.
“This is what our people train for and it’s why we do the job – lending a hand when people need it most.
“We will keep cycling through our specialist teams and providing support for as long as they are required.”
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