Australian firefighters lend a hand in Canada

Australian firefighters prepare to leave for Canada.

An Australian contingent of 55 fire management specialists deployed to Canada as part of an international effort to assist with wildfire suppression efforts.

MOLLY PRICE

AFAC

As a result of drought and significant fire activity across Canada, and with national preparedness at its highest level, the AFAC National Resource Sharing Centre (NRSC) received a formal request for assistance from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) on 21 July 2021.

Australia has national arrangements in place with Canada for the exchange of wildfire management resources through the Department of Natural Resources Canada and Emergency Management Australia. The NRSC oversees and facilitates the international deployments of wildfire management resources between Australia and Canada in cooperation with CIFFC.

The deployment was made up of personnel from fire, land management and state emergency service agencies in NSW and WA, fulfilling specialist roles including incident management, supervision and aviation management.

The participating agencies included: „ NSW State Emergency Service (three personnel) „ Fire and Rescue NSW (10 personnel) „ NSW Rural Fire Service (22 personnel) „ NSW Parks and Wildlife Service (three personnel) „ WA Department of Fire and

Emergency Services (11 personnel) „ WA Department of Biodiversity,

Conservation and Attractions (six personnel).

The group departed Australia on 27 July on a charter flight from Sydney to support local Canadian crews battling an early and severe wildfire season—that had seen over 4,000,000 hectares of land burnt.

Australian personnel were deployed across Canada in British Columbia and Ontario, with NSW RFS Assistant Commissioner Ben Millington deployed as head of the contingent to CIFFC Headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mr Millington said that the Australian personnel performed admirably throughout the deployment: “They represented their agencies with distinction and we thank Canadian provincial authorities and CIFFC for their hospitality for looking after the team.”

In many parts of Canada, including British Columbia and Ontario, the wildfire conditions experienced have been unprecedented and not dissimilar to what Australia experienced during Black Summer. Canadian firefighters deployed to NSW and Victoria during 2019–20 following Australia’s call for assistance, and the Australian contingent gladly took up the opportunity to return the favour. Canadian authorities have expressed their appreciation of the group’s efforts, professionalism and united leadership front.

This was the first international deployment coordinated by the NRSC since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed a new and unique set of challenges. With the safety of personnel paramount, significant planning was undertaken by the NRSC, the deploying agencies and relevant health and government authorities to mitigate any COVID-19 risks. This included a requirement that all deployed personnel be fully

COVID Coordinator Tim Hassiotis in Canada.

Above: Australian contingent on their way home from Canada.

Above right: COVID Coordinator Tim Hassiotis in full PPE.

PHOTO: NSW RFS PHOTO: FRNSW

vaccinated, pre-travel testing and mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine on arrival back into Australia.

To ensure that COVID-safe practices could be maintained throughout the deployment, Tim Hassiotis from Fire and Rescue NSW deployed with the Australian contingent as the COVID Coordinator. Mr Hassiotis’s responsibilities included liaising with local health services to ensure compliance with local regulations, monitoring a COVID-19 screening document that was completed daily by all personnel, and visiting Australian personnel at their camps to ensure they were comfortable with the COVID-safe protocols.

The crews also conducted regular rapid antigen tests, which Mr Hassiotis was trained to do by local authorities. “The rapid antigen testing acted as both a surveillance and assurance piece. It helped assuage people’s anxiety and reassure the workforce when there were COVID-19 cases around.”

“The rapid antigen testing acted as both a surveillance and insurance piece. It helped assuage people’s anxiety and reassure the workforce when there were COVID-19 cases around.” Tim Hassiotis, COVID Coordinator

He said he was proud to be a part of the deployment. “The generosity, warmth and hospitality shown by all of the Canadians I have met during my time in Canada has been beyond repute. Whether pumping gas, working on the fire ground or buying a cup of coffee, I have been continually approached by the community and thanked profusely for my service. This was so humbling and I, along with the Australian cohort, was honoured to assist with firefighting efforts.”

The contingent arrived back in Australia on 31 August after five weeks in Canada. They then completed a 14-day hotel quarantine stint in Sydney before returning home to their families and loved ones.

As the national council for fire and emergency services, AFAC was pleased to support the overall successful deployment through the NRSC, and thanks all agencies who participated. Both Australian and Canadian authorities have expressed their thanks and willingness to continue to improve subsequent deployments and country-to-country relationships.