Victoria’s night firebombing helicopters have completed their last operation for 2018-19 after successfully deploying to multiple fires across the state.
This week, my thoughts have been with our New Zealand friends, colleagues, emergency services and broader community and with Muslim communities throughout the world.
Yesterday Victoria welcomed back the last team of experienced relief and recovery personnel, who have been assisting communities in north east Queensland in their recovery effort following widespread flooding.
Interstate fire and emergency management personnel are providing support to Victoria in a range of roles as Victorian personnel manage a number of fires across the state.
Emergency Management Victoria has partnered with Bendigo Bank to establish a Community Relief Fund in support of community members affected by the recent south east Victoria fires.
The Victorian community and our emergency management personnel have faced tough conditions over the last few days, weeks and months. From March 1 to March 5, we have experienced 380 fires, with the majority resulting from lightning strikes.
Victoria’s two night firebombing helicopters undertook a training exercise at Mansfield overnight on Monday which saw them hover fill from a small tank and ground fill in three consecutive flights per activity.