- Western Australia sends more emergency service specialists interstate
- Personnel deployed less than 24 hours after request for assistance was received
Western Australia has rallied its emergency services specialists in record time to respond to an urgent call for help for communities devastated by floods in South Australia.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) received the request yesterday afternoon and less than 24 hours later 18 personnel have been deployed.
They will be based in Berri in the State's Riverland, 240 kilometres from Adelaide, and will be helping local emergency services teams build flood defences.
The latest WA taskforce comprises two operational staff from DFES, who left today at midday, 15 volunteers from metropolitan-based State Emergency Service units and the State Wide Operations Response Division (SWORD) plus a DFES staff team leader, all who left this afternoon.
They are expected to be deployed for up to seven days. A further 10 volunteers and another DFES staff team leader will leave tomorrow to assist in Murray Bridge.
Over the past three months WA has sent over 200 volunteers and emergency services staff on deployments to New South Wales, Victoria and SA.
As stated by Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson:
"There have been many calls for assistance from interstate this year and each time Western Australians have rallied to help.
"Seeing how quickly they responded to this latest request is a clear display of the willingness and enthusiasm of our volunteers and staff to assist those in need.
"I wish the WA emergency services team safe travels and thank them for their service and contribution to the community."
As stated by Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm AFSM:
"The flooding in South Australia is expected to continue through the week and it is vital that defences are built as quickly as possible.
"Our volunteers and staff are driven to protect communities in emergency situations like this and they will be able to share their expertise, as well as give local crews the boost in numbers they need."
