- Seven skilled WA emergency services specialists travel to the United States
- Crews will help fight more than 70 big wildfires burning across the country
- Second deployment of WA firefighters to the US in two years
A team of Western Australian emergency services specialists will deploy to the United States to assist local crews battling out-of-control wildfires across the country.
Three Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) personnel and three Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Parks and Wildlife Service personnel left Perth today bound for Sydney, where they will be briefed before flying to Boise in Idaho on Friday as part of a 74-strong national contingent.
DFES Chief Superintendent Scott Hares, who will act as the central contact for Australian and New Zealand crews, travelled ahead of the group arriving in Boise yesterday.
The highly skilled DFES and DBCA cohort includes personnel from the South West, Pilbara, Kimberley, and metropolitan regions. They will be based at various locations across the US for the next five weeks, filling a range of vital incident management functions.
There are currently more than 70 big fires burning across the US with more than 20,000 firefighters and support personnel working tirelessly on the ground.
This is the second deployment of WA crews to the US in two years, with DFES and DBCA personnel last sent to assist in August 2024.
The deployment was coordinated by AFAC's National Resource Sharing Centre.
Comments attributed to Acting Emergency Services Minister David Michael:
"Western Australia's emergency services personnel are world class, and I know their expertise and dedication will be deeply appreciated by stretched crews and at-risk communities across the US.
"Resource sharing is critical when natural disasters strike and the Cook Labor Government stands ready to provide additional support to the US for as long as it is needed.
"I wish these brave men and women all the best for their deployment and extend my thoughts to those impacted by these devastating wildfires."
Comments attributed to Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"This group of experienced DFES and DBCA personnel have very specific skills in leadership and incident management that will bring much-needed relief for US crews.
"Our personnel will support firefighters on the ground facing extremely challenging conditions, including temperatures reaching a sweltering 39 degrees during the day and dropping to zero degrees at night.
"This is the second time in two years Western Australia has answered the call for help from the US, and I am extremely proud we are able to assist with such a capable cohort."
