7/8/02
Five senior Western Australian fire fighters will be part of a 45-strong Australian-New Zealand (ANZ) contingent that will leave for the United States to help combat a series of wildfires that have burned across more than 1.8 million hectares.
The WA firefighters include three officers from the Department of Conservation and Land Management and two from the Fire and Emergency Services Authority.
Emergency Services Minister Michelle Roberts and Environment Minister Dr Judy Edwards said the officers, referred to as fire controllers, had been chosen for their expertise in forest fire operations, especially in managing fire line crews and aerial attacks.
Mrs Roberts said the United States had formally requested assistance after President George Bush signed legislation to enable fire specialists from overseas to assist in the country's widespread fire emergency.
"Our officers are expected to be based in south-west Oregon and northern California where wildfires have been burning through vast tracts of Douglas Fir and Redwood forests," she said.
"The steep terrain - coupled with dry, hot and windy conditions and a heavy build-up of fuels - has created a potent cocktail which had destroyed many homes and is threatening many more."
The Ministers said WA stood to gain substantial benefits through the experience of sending the team in the US.
"The fact that independent agencies have been able to provide personnel reflects the close working relationship among our fire fighting authorities," Mrs Roberts said.
"This close knit relationship has been a major factor in ensuring that here in WA we can immediately swing in all available resources, in a co-operative approach, when dealing with a wildfire, especially in the rural-urban areas such as the Perth hills."
This is the second time WA fire controllers have been dispatched as part of an ANZ force to the US. In August 2000, six WA fire managers were part of a 98-strong ANZ team that went to assist with fires in the northern Rocky Mountains.
The WA officers include CALM representatives Mike Cantelo ( Wanneroo), Greg Standing (Jarrahdale), Brian Moss (Manjimup) and from FESA, Glen Tunstead (Northam) and Gary Kennedy (South Perth region).
Emergency Services Minister's office: 9213 6600
