22 ACT Emergency personnel will be leaving today to deploy to the United States to support communities affected by ongoing wildfires.
An entire strike team made up of ACT Emergency Personnel, from the ACT Rural Fire Service (ACTRFS), ACT State Emergency Service and ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) will head to Idaho before joining wildfire operations in the north-western United States.
The team includes 4 personnel providing incident management support, and 18 firefighters undertaking arduous frontline firefighting duties. This includes constructing containment lines, mopping up firegrounds and supporting active fire suppression.
This deployment highlights the extraordinary commitment of ACT Emergency Personnel, who are stepping away from their families, workplaces and communities for more than a month to assist communities thousands of kilometres from home.
This is the third international deployment to support the US and Canada this year. The contingent will join seven ACTRFS and PCS personnel who deployed late July, along with a further four ACTRFS and PCS who departed for Canada last week.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson, said the deployment was a powerful demonstration of the professionalism, resilience and dedication our frontline workers bring to their roles every day.
"Over the past few years, ACT firefighters have answered the call to assist with major wildfires in the United States and Canada, and we have been grateful to receive the same support during challenging fire seasons in Australia.
"These deployments are a testament to the spirit of cooperation that underpins emergency services around the world, with highly skilled firefighters helping to protect communities wherever they are needed.
Canberrans should be immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism our volunteers continue to demonstrate, both locally and abroad."
Quotes attributable to ACTRFS Chief Officer, Rohan Scott:
"The fact that ACTRFS can provide a strike team for an international deployment demonstrates the capability and professionalism that exists within our service.
"These volunteers are stepping away from their families, workplaces and communities to assist others in their time of need. I'd like to thank not only the crew members deploying, but also the families, employers and support networks who support them every step of the way."
