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Locals help out in flood areas
28 January 2011
Almost 60 local Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DSE) staff have been sent to assist the SES with the flood emergency in north-west Victoria over the last week.
Grange Jephcott, Land and Fire Area Manager for DSE said that while SES is the lead agency for floods DSE was happy to assist where possible.
“Gippsland has faced a number of fires in recent years and the SES has always been happy to help us, now it is our chance to repay the favour,” Mr Jephcott said.
“So far we have sent 57 staff who have worked in a variety of roles, including within the Incident Control Centre and in the field, for example setting up and managing the base camp.”
The base camp set up at the Huntly Strauch Reserve near Bendigo provides catering and a place to sleep and shower for the CFA workers who are helping protect and clean up flood-ravaged towns.
“The base camp can accommodate hundreds of people. A number of our staff have been working there to make sure that the crews are well looked after.”
“DSE staff have also organised rosters and worked as safety officers and Incident Controllers among other roles.”
“Obviously we have very skilled and experienced people in some areas of emergency management and we are happy to share that expertise,” Mr Jephcott said.
“It’s really important for the community that in emergencies like fires and floods SES, CFA, DSE and other agencies work well together and share their resources,” Mr Jephcott said.
You can see the set up of a base camp on You tube.
Almost 60 local Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DSE) staff have been sent to assist the SES with the flood emergency in north-west Victoria over the last week.
Grange Jephcott, Land and Fire Area Manager for DSE said that while SES is the lead agency for floods DSE was happy to assist where possible.
“Gippsland has faced a number of fires in recent years and the SES has always been happy to help us, now it is our chance to repay the favour,” Mr Jephcott said.
“So far we have sent 57 staff who have worked in a variety of roles, including within the Incident Control Centre and in the field, for example setting up and managing the base camp.”
The base camp set up at the Huntly Strauch Reserve near Bendigo provides catering and a place to sleep and shower for the CFA workers who are helping protect and clean up flood-ravaged towns.
“The base camp can accommodate hundreds of people. A number of our staff have been working there to make sure that the crews are well looked after.”
“DSE staff have also organised rosters and worked as safety officers and Incident Controllers among other roles.”
“Obviously we have very skilled and experienced people in some areas of emergency management and we are happy to share that expertise,” Mr Jephcott said.
“It’s really important for the community that in emergencies like fires and floods SES, CFA, DSE and other agencies work well together and share their resources,” Mr Jephcott said.
You can see the set up of a base camp on You tube.