Firefighters from other states are heading to Victoria to help put out deadly bushfires as a joint $19.5 million funding package was unveiled.
At least one person was confirmed dead in the Longwood are as of Sunday, according to media reports.
More than 350,000 hectares of land and 300-plus structures were destroyed.
As of Monday morning, there were 34 warnings in place and 73 incidents reported, according to Vic Emergency.
NT SENDS FIREFIGHTERS
The Northern Territory announced it was sending 34 firefighters to Victoria: an 11-person Incident Management Team (IMT), 22 firefighters and a jurisdictional liaison officer.
Firefighters and volunteers were drawn from Bushfires NT (16) and 18 members from NT Fire and Rescue Service.
Chief Minister and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Lia Finocchiaro says they will send every available resource.
“This deployment is about helping to stabilise the situation and getting on top of existing fires before a return of dangerous fire weather conditions forecast in the coming week,” she says.
The contingent will start work on the ground across Victoria tomorrow (January 13) and will be deployed for five days before returning home (January 18).
“Depending on fire behaviour and weather conditions, Victoria anticipates further deployments may be required over the coming weeks to supplement their resources,” Finocchiaro says.
NT Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Warton says personnel are well trained for the work they will face.
“NT Fire and Emergency Services train year-round to be ready for emergencies of this scale,” he says.
“Our highly skilled personnel bring strong experience in remote and extreme fire environments, and they are ready to contribute wherever they are needed,” he says.
He also thanks the firefighters and volunteers who are going.
“Leaving families, communities and day-to-day roles at short notice is no small thing,” he says.
“This deployment is about helping to stabilise the situation and getting on top of existing fires before a return of dangerous fire weather conditions forecast in the coming week.” NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro
WA ALSO SENDING HELP
Thirty-eight Western Australian specialists have arrived in Victoria to join in the firefighting effort.
The group comprises of 20 arduous firefighters to fight fires in Victoria’s Barwon South West region and a 17-member IMT to co-ordinate incident control, aviation, intelligence, public information, fire behaviour analysis, and logistics in the Gippsland region.
The WA contingent is on a seven-day deployment and will return home this Saturday (January 18).
WA Emergency Services Minister Paul Papalia says they “stand ready to provide resources”.
The state’s Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Darren Klemm says: “Resource sharing is critical when natural disasters strike, and we can cycle through our specialist teams and provide support for as long as it is required.”
The interstate deployment is the result of a request from Emergency Management Victoria (EMV), which was co-ordinated by the National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC).
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan declared a state of disaster on Saturday across 18 council areas and an alpine resort after 60 bushfires ignited on Friday.
$19.5m IN FUNDING SUPPORT
The Victoria and federal governments have announced a $19.5 million support package for fire-affected residents.
The package comprises:
- $10m to distribute fodder to farmers.
- $1.5m for emergency accommodation for people forced into temporary quarters.
- $1m for mental health support (group counselling sessions).
- $5m for recovery support to help case workers help affected residents with housing, legal and financial support, accessing payments and grants, and related matters.
- $2m for a recovery hotline.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says: “The Federal Government is working hand in hand with the Victorian Government to provide immediate support for communities impacted by the devastating bushfires.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says: “People heeded the warnings and acted to protect themselves and their loved ones – at great cost. We’re standing with them on what will be a long path of recovery.
“From emergency accommodation to mental health help or fodder for livestock – we’re ensuring no one is left behind in this recovery effort.”
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