This week, Forest Fire Management Victoria farewelled the second deployment of firefighters from Melbourne Airport.
Forty highly skilled staff, including 18 women, are travelling to Canada to support the country’s efforts against the devastating bushfires. This deployment marks the highest proportion of women firefighters they’ve ever sent overseas.
Two 20-strong taskforces will join 21 Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and 5 Country Fire Authority (CFA) emergency personnel already on the ground in Canada. They will provide much needed relief to local crews battling more than 650 active fires across the country.
This international resource-sharing builds on a longstanding relationship between Victoria and Canada. Canadian firefighters came to Victoria’s aid in the 2019–20 fire season. Since then, FFMVic personnel have participated in multiple deployments to Canada. Victorian emergency service personnel’s expertise and knowledge are greatly valued by Canadian crews.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent highlighted the importance of this collaboration.
‘It's fantastic that Victorian emergency service personnel continue to put their hand up to support the wildfire response in Canada,’ he said.
Victorian firefighters bring specialised skills suitable to Canadian conditions.
‘Victorian arduous firefighters are highly skilled and equipped for all types of terrain, and we will continue to support Canada in any way we can during this challenging time,’ the Commissioner added.
We extend our best wishes and gratitude to our Victorian emergency services colleagues as they embark on this important mission.
Bon voyage and stay safe!
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.