On 2 June, the AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) received a request for assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC).

Canada is currently experiencing significant fire activity across many of its provinces including Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewa, Alberta and British Columbia.

An initial contingent of 96 Australian personnel from NSW, WA and Victoria are supporting Canada’s fire suppression operations in Alberta. They have arrived in Edmonton for briefings and will travel to the fires on 12 June, commencing a 35-day deployment.

The personnel – from NSW Rural Fire Service, Forestry Corporation NSW, NSW Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victoria, Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions WA – will fill Incident Management Team, arduous crew, and deployment manager roles.

The deployment continues a strong resource sharing relationship between AFAC NRSC and CIFFC, and international support and collaboration between the two countries.

AFAC thanks the personnel and agencies who have made this deployment possible. 

Contact

For further information, contact AFAC Media: media@afac.com.au  

About the AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre

The AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) coordinates and facilitates international and interstate deployments through its established partnerships and national arrangements as authorised by the Commissioners and Chief Officers Strategic Committee. The AFAC NRSC is recognised as an enabler of national capability for fire and emergency services.

The AFAC NSRC enhances the efficiency of resource deployments to an interstate or international natural hazard emergency event. Through its creation of partnerships and agreements, national resourcing capability is deployable through a collaborative operating model.