CFS sends vehicles to Tasmania
27/01/2016
South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) has, for the first time, sent vehicles across Bass Strait to support the Tasmanian Fire Services (TFS).
The TFS has been battling about 50 fires over the past two weeks, and has already received support from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service and the Victorian Country Fire Authority.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, and the New Zealand Fire Service are also sending support.
Ten CFS appliances, each from a different South Australian brigade, and four command vehicles left Adelaide this morning, bound for Melbourne. They will be sent across the Tasman by ferry.
The CFS vehicles are being pre-deployed ahead of any requirement for South Australian strike teams to support TFS operations.
"Today CFS is sending appliances to Victoria and then across to Tasmania in preparation for our volunteer firefighters who could be called to assist at any time," CFS Chief Officer Greg Nettleton said.
"Some of the fire behaviour has not been experienced before and there is potential for them to spread and impact on world heritage wilderness areas and populated areas," he said.
"We are always grateful when our interstate colleagues come in to assist when we have a large incident, so we are happy to return the favour," Mr Nettleton said.
The appliances are scheduled to arrive in Hobart on Friday.