27 July 2024
Nick Duigan, Minister for Parks and Environment
More Tasmanian volunteers are set to help firefighting efforts in Canada.
Minister for Parks and Environment, Nick Duigan, said Tasmanian firefighters have been deployed to assist in response to the national call for assistance.
“Today, 10 more Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service experienced and skilled firefighting personnel have been deployed to assist with firefighting operations in Canada as wildfires in the region continue to intensify,” Minister Duigan said.
“This group will join PWS fire personnel Rhys Wilson and Ken Brooks who are already in Canada, taking the total number of Tasmanians assisting to 12.”
Minister Duigan wished the fire crew all the best with their deployment and for a safe return home.
“We farewell and thank PWS firefighters Mark O’Brien, Larissa Giddings, Keegan Pope, Jerard Flakemore, and Stuart Primrose who have departed from Hobart Airport this morning, and Jason Moore, Robin Meyers, Aidan Munro, Ben Hill and Phil Gillingham who have now departed from Launceston Airport to Alberta in Canada,” Minister Duigan said.
“These Tasmanian firefighters join a contingent of more than 200 personnel from Australia and New Zealand to support their Canadian counterparts.”
PWS State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said they are proud to be able to lend a hand to the firefighters in Canada.
“Our thoughts are with our PWS firefighters, and all crews currently on the ground battling fires in Canada and all those affected by the fires. Thank you for your service so far and continued efforts to help keep the community safe,” Ms Edwards said.
“With over 970 active bushfires and over 600 of those currently being out of control in Canada, we anticipate there will likely be further assistance required in the coming weeks and we will continue to lend a hand when possible.”
Tasmania is part of the National Resource Sharing Centre, which requested support from all states and territories to bolster the firefighting response in Canada Australian fire services have supported Canada and the United States numerous times since 2000.
Pictures are available here
Captions
Launceston Airport:
Launceston-based PWS fire personnel from Phil Gillingham, Robin Myers, Jason Moore, Ben Hill and Aidan Munro, departed on Saturday morning.
Hobart Airport:
Hobart-based PWS fire personnel Stuart Primrose, Keegan Pope, Larissa Giddings, Jerad Flakemore and Mark O'Brien, departed on Saturday morning.