Tasmania has responded to an international call for assistance with firefighting operations in Canada as wildfires continue to intensify in the region.
Ten Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) firefighters have been deployed along with three firefighters from Tasmania Fire Service and seven firefighters from South Australia to form a Strike Team of 20 personnel. The Strike Team joins a contingent of 100 firefighters from Australia supporting their Canadian counterparts.
Tasmania is part of the National Resource Sharing Centre, which is fulfilling a request from Canada that is supported from other states and territories across Australia to bolster the firefighting response in Canada.
PWS State Fire Manager Katy Edwards farewells PWS fire personnel who are flying to Canada today.
“From PWS in the south of the state Luke Gadd will be deployed as Task Force Leader along with Crew Leaders Rodney Watson and Robert Watchorn and Arduous Firefighters Gemma Rushton, Mark Monks, James Wassif, Adam Burt and Kate Goyen. From the north of the state for PWS Kelly Viney and Arlea Gschwendtner will be joining the Strike Team," Katy said.
“Tasmania Fire Service's Luca Clark from Hobart and Mathew Elphinstone and Rhys Gardiner from Launceston will also be joining the team along with the South Australia firefighters.
“Canada's national fire preparedness level is currently at a level 5 which is the highest level, and there are over 250 active fires currently. This year to date, Canada has had 2,214 fires and 4.1million hectares impacted this year alone.
“This deployment has demonstrated an effective use of our specialist expertise internationally for firefighting efforts in Canada. We are able to contribute resources and transferable skills, to provide relief on the ground.
“We thank our staff for their continued efforts to help keep the community in Canada safe. Our thoughts are with all those in Canada affected by wildfires and our crew. We look forward to welcoming our firefighters home."
Australian fire services have supported Canada and the United States numerous times since 2000, including the last two years.
TFS Matt Elphinstone, PWS Arlea Gschwendtner and Kelly Viney at Launceston Airport
Back row: Rhys Gardiner, Rod Watson, Adam Burt, James Wasif, Kelly Viney, Matt Elphinstone, Rob Watchorn
Front row: Gemma Rushton, Arlea Gschwendtner, Mark Monks, Luke Gadd, Kate Goyen, Luca Clark
Back row: Rod Watson, James Wassif, Adam Burt, Mark Monks, Gemma Rushton, Kate Goyen, Luca Clark
Front row: Rob Watchorn and Luke Gadd