100 volunteer firefighters deployed to Queensland

Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said the 100 volunteer firefighters are coming from across NSW to assist their colleagues north of the border.

“Queensland has seen unprecedented conditions over the last few days, with more than 40 bush fires now burning across the state,” Mr Grant said.

“The NSW RFS crews deployed last night will work with fellow Queensland rural firefighters and provide relief for local crews who have worked very hard over the last week.

“These volunteers from NSW will carry out frontline firefighting operations.

“Fifty volunteers flew out of Sydney yesterday, while another 50 travelled by coach from Northern NSW, and arrived in Brisbane last night for a briefing before being deployed to various parts of Queensland affected by the current fires.

“Along with our force of 100 firefighters, the NSW RFS has also deployed Gaia, the Boeing 737 Large Air Tanker (LAT), as well as the lead plane ‘Bird Dog’, to assist Queensland.”

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there has been significant fire activity across Queensland in recent weeks, and NSW was always proud to lend a helping hand when needed.

“The NSW RFS has a long history of helping other states, demonstrating the high regard in which our members are held,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“I wish our volunteers heading north and those currently on the ground in Queensland all the very best as they work hard to protect communities.”