Approximately 120 Victorian recovery personnel will be travelling to Queensland over the next few weeks to support Queensland communities in their recovery efforts following devastating floods.
On Monday, 28 personnel from Department of Health and Human Services left Victoria for Queensland, on the first of four seven-day rotations that are currently planned.
Unprecedented rainfall in north east Queensland has caused devastating flooding and millions of dollars of damage to property and livestock.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said Victorian personnel would be doing an important role connecting communities to critical support services in Queensland.
“Victorians will be working face to face with communities assessing their needs and connecting them to support services,” he said.
“This is not only an opportunity for our people to contribute but to further learn and gain valuable experience as they assist Queenslanders in their time of need.
“The National partnership is so important in emergencies. There are two Queenslanders currently in Victoria assisting us in fire-related roles, so this deployment is an opportunity for Victoria to support Queensland for flood recovery.”
In 2009, following the Victorian bushfires, Queensland sent teams to Victoria to support the Victorian recovery effort.
Additionally in 2017, Victoria sent teams to assist in recovery operations following Cyclone Debbie.
Victoria’s strong and ongoing relationships with other states mean we are able to share personnel, skills, knowledge, equipment and experience.
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.