WA is contributing four firefighters to assist the USA with wildfires, marking the third time in four years such assistance has been requested. The firefighters, experienced in leadership and heavy equipment, will be deployed to Idaho.

AnsweredQoN 1020Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 August 2003
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

I have noted recent television news reports about fires in Canada and the United States of America and also a small newspaper report that a contingent of Australian and New Zealand firefighters will travel to the United States to assist. What contribution, if any, is Western Australia making? Dr J.M. EDWARDS

AnswerView source ↗

Western Australia is making a modest contribution to the contingent of firefighters travelling to the USA to fight fires. Three staff are going from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and one from the Forest Products Commission. This is the third time in four years that Western Australia has been requested to send staff to the United States. They would normally get their firefighters from Canada, but I understand that the Canadian force is fully stretched as a result of the fires there. We have been asked to provide divisional commanders and people who have experience in using heavy duty firefighting equipment. These people have left for Idaho. They will be leading teams in the Rocky Mountains to fight fires. I am pleased that the experience of this State’s firefighters is being recognised and that staff from Katanning, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie will gain further experience. I ask all members of the House to join with me in wishing those people well and a safe return home very soon.
Dr J.M. EDWARDS replied: Western Australia is making a modest contribution to the contingent of firefighters travelling to the USA to fight fires. Three staff are going from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and one from the Forest Products Commission. This is the third time in four years that Western Australia has been requested to send staff to the United States. They would normally get their firefighters from Canada, but I understand that the Canadian force is fully stretched as a result of the fires there. We have been asked to provide divisional commanders and people who have experience in using heavy duty firefighting equipment. These people have left for Idaho. They will be leading teams in the Rocky Mountains to fight fires. I am pleased that the experience of this State’s firefighters is being recognised and that staff from Katanning, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie will gain further experience. I ask all members of the House to join with me in wishing those people well and a safe return home very soon.
Western Australia is making a modest contribution to the contingent of firefighters travelling to the USA to fight fires. Three staff are going from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and one from the Forest Products Commission. This is the third time in four years that Western Australia has been requested to send staff to the United States. They would normally get their firefighters from Canada, but I understand that the Canadian force is fully stretched as a result of the fires there. We have been asked to provide divisional commanders and people who have experience in using heavy duty firefighting equipment. These people have left for Idaho. They will be leading teams in the Rocky Mountains to fight fires. I am pleased that the experience of this State’s firefighters is being recognised and that staff from Katanning, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie will gain further experience. I ask all members of the House to join with me in wishing those people well and a safe return home very soon.

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