NSW firefighters depart Sydney to fight Canada wildfires
Published Date: 14 Jul 2015
Summary
Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott today thanked 31 emergency services workers who are flying to Vancouver to help fight Canada's wildfires.
Personnel from the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, Forestry Corporation and the National Parks and Wildlife Service are among a national contingent of 102 emergency services workers who left Sydney Airport today.
Mr Elliott met and thanked the firefighters at a pre-flight briefing at Sydney Airport.
"NSW has skilled firefighters and experts in emergency management who are always ready to assist during times of crisis," Mr Elliott said.
"Aussies are known around the world for their mateship and comradery which is why I am so proud to farewell the men and women who are travelling to Vancouver today to provide much needed support to the communities in need."
The NSW contingent will be deployed to fight fires in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta to perform roles in fire management, fire behaviour and aerial firefighting.
The fire has burnt through more than 1.4 million hectares of land and more than 13,000 Canadians have been evacuated from their homes.
Emergency Management Victoria are coordinating the deployment on behalf of all Australian states and territories.
