Volunteers and staff from South Australian emergency services are travelling to assist with ongoing crises across Queensland and Victoria, as a part of an inter-state support network in times of need.
Today, 20 volunteers and staff from the South Australian State Emergency Service (SES) departed Adelaide, heading to Townsville. The region has been dramatically affected by flash flooding and severe storm conditions. This initial SES team is the first of three rotations planned to aid in both response and recovery operations in the storm-hit Queensland areas.
Each group from this initial deployment includes personnel from both metropolitan Adelaide and regional areas, such as Port Augusta and Kangaroo Island. The SA Country Fire Service (CFS) and Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) are preparing joint strike teams. These teams are set to leave on Sunday, February 9th and Wednesday, February 12th, with each rotation involving 10 personnel split between CFS volunteers and MFS firefighters.
In total, approximately 60 frontline personnel from the SES, CFS, and MFS will be sent to the Queensland flood zones. This deployment reflects South Australia’s rapid mobilisation capabilities and inter-agency collaboration ethos, whilst maintaining sufficient local resources for state needs.
SA firefighters and SES crews are also heading to Victoria, to assist with the major wildfires in the region. CFS brigades from South Australia’s South East are providing support in the Little Desert National Park. The Department for Environment and Water’s specialist firefighters are also involved in Victoria’s firefighting efforts, and SES crews have been active in staging areas within the state.
“Our emergency service members are answering the call to help communities in need across the border. From Queensland to Victoria, dedicated volunteers are putting their own lives on hold to support devastated areas and we are thankful for their tireless efforts,” shared Emily Bourke MLC
Minister for Emergency Services.
“Australian emergency services organisations have a strong legacy of assisting each other in times of crisis,” said SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie.
“I thank the SASES personnel, and their families, for their commitment as they travel into a challenging environment to support communities in tough conditions.”
These deployments showcase the dedicated nature of South Australia’s emergency service workers as they aid fellow Australians facing severe environmental challenges in Queensland and Victoria.
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