Over 50 CFA and VICSES staff and volunteers are travelling to Queensland.
More than 50 Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) staff and volunteers are travelling to Queensland to support local emergency services and communities with ongoing flood and storm response efforts, following the impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Victoria will support their Queensland counterparts in the ongoing flood emergency, with storm response personnel clearing fallen trees and making temporary roof repairs.
The group of mostly volunteers join two personnel from Fire Rescue Victoria who travelled to Queensland last week to assist with resource coordination ahead of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred making landfall on Saturday.
Following a busy summer of emergencies in Victoria, where Queensland authorities generously provided personnel to support our response and recovery, Victoria is proud to return the favour and support our northern neighbours as they respond to this emergency.
Quotes attributable to Acting Emergency Management Commissioner, Tim Wiebusch
"Victoria will continue to provide the support we can when requested by our Queensland counterparts and balance this with Victoria's emergency response.”
"Our thoughts are with the local emergency services and communities as they continue to feel the impacts of this weather event."
Quotes attributable to CFA Acting Chief Officer, Garry Cook AFSM
"While the rain in Queensland has largely stopped, we understand the ongoing impacts of flooding will likely continue to be felt for some time."
"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank our volunteers for giving up their time to assist Queenslanders and also thank their employers and their families at home for enabling them to deploy interstate and provide much needed assistance."
Quotes attributable to VICSES Acting Chief Officer, Alistair Drayton AFSM
“Our SES emergency first responders work as one, in Victoria and across the nation, and we will continue to provide support wherever we can.”
“My sincere thanks to our SES volunteers who have made the commitment to support our Queensland counterpart emergency services and their local communities impacted by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Your dedication to the role is truly commendable.”
Victorians are reminded to never rely on one channel for emergency information. Connect to official sources of emergency information, including:
- VicEmergency app
- www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- Tune in to local emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, commercial and select community radio stations, or SkyNews TV
- Phone the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
- Follow VicEmergency on Facebook and Twitter