20 experienced flood and storm damage-trained volunteers and one staff member from Tasmania SES departed for Townsville this morning, following requests to provide support to the current Far North Queensland flood event.
Acting Assistant Director, Operations and Resources Cheryl Ames said six volunteers from Southern Region, five volunteers and one staff member from Northern Region and nine volunteers from the Northwest Region have been called upon to assist with the ongoing flood event.
“These volunteers will be utilising their skills and experience and responding to requests for assistance in flood-affected areas for three days, returning to Tasmania on Monday.”
“This is the first deployment of on-the-ground resources from Tasmania for this event, with further requests for resourcing support possible over the coming weeks.”
“We are nationally renowned for helping our mainland counterparts whenever and however we can, and that reputation is something we are extremely proud of.”
“It is likely that Tasmania SES will fulfil at least one further rotation in the coming weeks if required by Queensland SES.”
“Deployments of support such as this are critical in the provision of efficient planning and response to emergency events and Tasmanians can be very proud of the abilities of our emergency services members,” said Ms Ames.
Tasmania SES is resourced and prepared to respond to incidents within Tasmania and provide support to other jurisdictions.