25 August, 2018
Victorian emergency management personnel sent to Canada to assist manage out of control fires have today returned home to Victoria.
The six-member crew from CFA, Parks Victoria and DELWP were deployed to Canada for 21 days where they worked alongside crews in British Columbia to manage hundreds of out of control fires.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Victorian personnel were very well trained incident managers and their expertise and knowledge was warmly welcomed by Canadian crews.
“Our people have assisted in varied positions across British Columbia and have worked under some challenging conditions,” he said.
“This has provided much relief for local crews, in what looks to be a severe fire period in parts of British Columbia and Canada.
“Thank you to all our people who responded so quickly to the call for assistance, and for the support at every level to make this deployment a success.
“There is no doubt that everyone will have unique stories of their experience to share with family, friends and colleagues, and there will be opportunities for all of us, across the agencies, to learn.”
The 16-member Victorian crew deployed to the US this month returned to their fire camps for a rest and recreation break before starting the second leg of their 42 day deployment earlier this week.
They are expected to return back to Victoria early next month.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.