More than 50 Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) staff and volunteers are on their way to Queensland, stepping in to assist with flood and storm recovery after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred swept through the southeast.
With fallen trees blocking roads and damaged roofs in need of urgent repairs, Victorian emergency crews are bolstering Queensland’s efforts to restore normality. This follows an initial deployment of two Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) personnel last week, who travelled ahead of the cyclone to assist with resource coordination.
Queensland’s emergency services had previously sent personnel to Victoria during a tough summer of disasters. Now, the favour is being returned as Victoria’s crews head north to help communities grappling with the aftermath of intense rainfall and flooding.
Acting Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch reaffirmed Victoria’s commitment to lending a hand where needed. “Victoria will continue to provide the support we can when requested by our Queensland counterparts and balance this with Victoria’s emergency response,” he said. “Our thoughts are with the local emergency services and communities as they continue to feel the impacts of this weather event.”
CFA Acting Chief Officer Garry Cook acknowledged that while the rain has stopped, the real challenges are far from over. “We understand the ongoing impacts of flooding will likely continue to be felt for some time,” he said. “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.”
VICSES Acting Chief Officer Alistair Drayton highlighted the strong national spirit among emergency responders. “Our SES emergency first responders work as one, in Victoria and across the nation, and we will continue to provide support wherever we can,” he said. “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.”
As floodwaters slowly recede, the work of these emergency crews will be crucial in clearing debris, repairing homes, and helping affected communities get back on their feet. Victoria’s rapid response underscores the strong ties between states, ensuring help is always within reach when disaster strikes.
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