Another team of Victorian volunteers is today headed to NSW to help with the ongoing flood recovery in the devastated Northern Rivers region.
NSW is now one week on from a flood which has impacted more than 2000 homes and businesses, displaced thousands of people, and tragically, taken a number of lives.
A taskforce of 38 personnel from VICSES and CFA will today deploy to Goonellabah, an eastern suburb of Lismore, to work with local emergency servies as community liaison officers.
These team members have been selected for their experience in supporting communities during and after emergencies.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp thanked Victorian emergency services volunteers and staff for their continued willingness to help their northern neighbours.
“We had 16 Victorians return home yesterday following their deployment over the past week, and it is heartening to see even more put their hands up to assist during the next phase of this emergency,” he said.
“NSW and Queensland’s communities have embraced interactions with our emergency service workers, and their actions and support has been greatly appreciated.”
VICSES community resilience coordinator Tracey White, who is part of this deployment, said the majority of the taskforce was made up of volunteers.
“We’ve all seen the devastating impacts in NSW and Queensland, so there was a considerable number of VICSES volunteers who put their hand up to assist with this deployment,” she said.
“As trained community engagement facilitators, we’re looking forward to getting on the ground and assisting these affected communities as required.”
CFA Assistant Chief Fire Officer David Maxwell said CFA members were happy to assist.
“Victorians know all-too-well the devastating impacts of these types of emergencies and we’re pleased our members can share their expertise to help with the response in these communities.”
The team will visit those hit worst by the floods, to provide information situational updates, information about road access, housing, accommodation services and other support services.
A major proportion of today’s departing taskforce are volunteers and on International Women’s Day, 17 are women.
This next small, but important deployment is one of five groups of personnel which have been coordinated to assist across floodaffected areas in Queensland and NSW over the past week.
This deployment takes Victoria’s contribution to NSW and QLD to approximately 80 personnel. Additional deployments into NSW are expected over the coming days.
The ongoing flood situation in NSW and QLD is a reminder that Victorians should connect with official sources of emergency information, including: the VicEmergency app, www.emergency.vic.gov.au, local emergency broadcasters such as ABC local radio, commercial and select community radio stations, or SkyNews TV, phone the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 or follow VicEmergency on Facebook and Twitter.
