A specialist team of Queensland firefighters will arrive in New Zealand to help with recovery efforts following Cyclone Gabrielle.
The Disaster Assistance Response Team are departing today and tomorrow to undertake rapid damage assessments on the ground and boost numbers to local crews.
The death toll in New Zealand has risen to 7 people, including a toddler, while over 10,0000 have been left homeless following the country’s worst storm in decades.
Ex-Cyclone Gabrielle caused mass destruction and severe flooding on the North Island.
The group of 25 Fire and Rescue Service Officers – including two from Fire and Rescue New South Wales, will embark on a three-week deployment to the hardest hit areas of the country.
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, Mark Ryan, says Queensland is always willing to do anything to help our neighbours across the ditch.
“These are some of the most highly qualified personnel in the world, who train year-round in preparation for these situations,” Minister Ryan says.
“It’s not the first time our crews have assisted New Zealand, with the DART team deployed there in 2011 following the tragic Christchurch earthquake,
“I thank our dedicated men and women who are going over to offer their assistance at this very difficult time for New Zealand, and look forward to the team’s safe return back home.”’
The team is expected to arrive in New Zealand on Friday and Saturday, where they will work hand in hand with Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
