Australia's firefighting community is rallying behind fire-ravaged Tasmania.
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Due to the ongoing fire threat across the state, the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has welcomed and accepted offers of firefighting assistance from interstate authorities.
This will be in the form of personnel and will give some firefighters and incident management teams (IMT) the chance to have a break, as well as boosting firefighting numbers where needed.
"Yesterday I spoke with the NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner and the Victorian Fire Commissioner and arranged for firefighters and fire specialists to provide some much needed relief for our people. I’m very grateful that they have been able to respond so quickly.” TFS chief officer Mike Brown said.
The contingent heading to Tasmania includes:
• 7 rapid impact assessment officers from NSW Rural Fire Service (6 arrived Saturday, 1 Sunday);
• 4 liaison officers arrive Sunday;
• 17 IMT personnel from Country Fire Authority Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment Victoria, & MFB arrive Sunday for Hobart;
• 4 IMT personnel arrive Sunday for Launceston;
• 7 air operations arrive Sunday for Hobart;
• 33 strike team firefighters arrive Sunday for Hobart (using TFS vehicles).
All personnel are due to return home on Friday.
“The potential for further requests for assistance will be considered later this week,” Mr Brown said.