Western Australia has deployed a fourth team to assist flood-stricken communities in New South Wales as the State continues to grapple with unrelenting rainfall.
Seven staff from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services departed Perth Airport late last night, answering a national call for assistance to relieve exhausted local crews.
The deployment team members will use their experience in intelligence, mapping and public warnings to assist the NSW State Emergency Service incident management teams.
Six of the staff will be sent to Grafton, while a situational support officer will be assigned to assist a separate team in Metford.
Since March 4, 60 Western Australians have been deployed to NSW, where floods have claimed lives, destroyed homes and damaged infrastructure.
The rainfall and associated flooding continue to pose serious challenges for local emergency services, with Mid North Coast communities warned to be on alert for the next 24 to 48 hours as the weather system moves south.
The team will undertake a nine-day deployment and undergo rigorous COVID-19 testing protocols before travelling home to WA.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
“Our thoughts are with the people of New South Wales who for the past month have been battling unprecedented flooding that has forced tens of thousands to evacuate their homes.
“Western Australia has a long history of providing support to other States and Territories when required and our emergency services stand ready to assist.
“We will continue to answer national calls for assistance wherever possible as New South Wales and Queensland continue to navigate this terrible event.
“I thank those who were deployed last night and to all those Western Australians who were previously deployed, at a moment’s notice, to assist our counterparts on the east coast.”
