Western Australia will send four emergency services specialists to New South Wales today to support communities impacted by the latest floods which have devastated the State.
A District Officer from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and three State Emergency Service volunteers will be based in Metford near Newcastle. The volunteers are representing Cockburn, Gosnells and Stirling SES.
The quartet will be part of an Incident Management Team that will play a key role operating alongside the NSW SES during a seven-day deployment.
The deployment follows a request from NSW SES for personnel with expertise in coordinating field operations which will be vital to the success of the emergency response.
NSW has been ravaged by floods in 2022. More than 70 WA emergency services personnel were deployed to NSW earlier this year to assist impacted communities.
As stated by Acting Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia:
“New South Wales is again facing extreme challenges with flooding wreaking havoc on communities, while posing significant challenges for local emergency services.
“Western Australia has once again answered the call for help and will assist those affected during this difficult time and will provide additional support to our emergency services colleagues on the east coast.
“I thank each of our emergency services specialists who have put their hand up to respond to this natural disaster at such short notice.
“They are extraordinary people who are driven to protect communities in emergency situations like this and I wish them a safe deployment.”
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
“WA’s emergency services personnel are renowned Australia wide for their expertise and I am delighted four more staff and volunteers from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and SES have volunteered to help the communities in NSW impacted by the latest floods.
“Resource sharing is critical when natural disasters strike and we will continue to offer as much support as is needed.
“This is an opportunity for us to provide assistance after WA received support from our east coast partners in the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja and several major bushfires in the past 18 months.”
