Premier

Victorians To Assist USA Firefighting Effort

31 July 2018

Victorian firefighting personnel will form part of the Australasian deployment to the United States to help respond to the destructive and devastating fires burning along the west coast.

A formal request for 188 Australian and New Zealand personnel has been received by the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council’s (AFAC's) National Resource Sharing Centre, which is coordinating the deployment.

Victoria is co-ordinating the deployment details of the southern-Australian states, while NSW is coordinating the deployment of the northern-Australian states.

The deployment will assist the firefighting effort in a number of states along the west coast, including in Oregon, Washington State and Northern California.

Australia and New Zealand have skilled emergency management personnel who can operate in specialist roles and can work with our international partners.

Victoria has a strong and ongoing relationship with the US which allows for the exchange of personnel, knowledge, skills, equipment, technology and mutual support in the event of an emergency.

Two Australians, including one Victorian and a NSW representative, have flown to Boise, Idaho to begin planning for the arrival of crews later this week and will oversee the deployment.

The make-up of Victoria's contingent will be determined in the next few days.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services James Merlino

“The fires currently burning in the US have tragically caused a number of deaths and have also been responsible for widespread destruction of property.”

“I thank all of the 188 Australians and New Zealanders who are heading across as part of the AFAC deployment, who I am sure will all make a significant contribution.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“Victoria’s emergency management sector has a strong relationship with our counterparts in the US, so it is appropriate we send over a number of our highly skilled personnel during this incredibly challenging time.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

Was this page helpful?