CFA members deployed to Queensland to provide planning and recovery support after ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie have all returned to Victoria.
A contingent of 31 emergency management personnel from CFA, MFB, DELWP, PV and EMV – which includes five CFA members – travelled to Queensland last week to take up Incident Management and field roles in the State Operations Centre and Incident Control Centres.
CFA members Scott Hamilton, Dave Stevenson, Rob Symonds, David Harris and Colin Brown were part of Incident Management Teams in areas including Brisbane, Mackay, Maryborough, and South East Region which is near Logan.
CFA’s North East Regional Commander Peter Creak took up a role as Interstate Liaison Officer. He was responsible for overseeing the interests and welfare of Victoria and Tasmanian personnel.
Soon after arriving in Queensland, CFA crews were split and sent to the areas where they could be utilised for their skills and expertise.
CFA’s contribution was part of a larger interstate deployment of 139 personnel from 17 agencies in five states.
The interstate deployment was managed by the National Resource Sharing Centre protocols which have been agreed to by all Fire and Emergency Agencies in Australia.
“The impact on Queensland is widespread and devastating. It will take a long time for the affected communities to recover,” Mr Creak said.
“Our colleagues in Queensland were extremely grateful for assistance from Victoria.
“They were extremely accommodating to the interstate workforce and there have been many great examples of agencies working well with each other.”
Author: CFA Media