FORESTRY Corporation of NSW last week deployed 10 firefighters to South Australia to support firefighting operations following several weeks of assistance in Victoria.
Forestry Corporation, one of NSW’s four firefighting agencies, has more than 500 trained firefighters on staff, who work to protect State forests and regularly assist interstate and international fire authorities.
In recent weeks, Forestry Corporation deployed 20 firefighters to Victoria to assist with the Walwa River Road fire in both Field and Incident Management (IMT) positions.
An additional four staff assisted in the IMT at Seymour in the state’s south.
“These deployments really demonstrate the strength of NSW’s joint firefighting capability,” said Forestry Corporation’s Fire Training and Operations Coordinator Nathan Fischer.
“Across NSW we work side‑by‑side with our partner fire agencies every day and that close collaboration means we can respond quickly and effectively when incidents emerge whether they’re here at home or interstate.
“Forestry Corporation crews continue to work incredibly hard to keep our own estate safe, but just as importantly, to support our neighbours and the broader community when the need arises. I’m proud of our people who consistently step up at short notice, integrate seamlessly with multi‑agency teams, and bring their skills and professionalism wherever they’re needed,” he said.
North Coast-based Forestry Worker Grace Bolton undertook her first interstate deployment in South Australia since gaining her national firefighting accreditation.
“This has been my first fire season, which has been super exciting and South Australia is my third deployment so far this season,” Miss Bolton said.
“It has been an experience for sure, straight into the action responding to spot overs, putting in containment lines and spending a lot of time on the hose working hard to protect assets.
“I’ve volunteered to go to South Australia to help both the community and environment, which is currently fire affected.”
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