VICSES staff from the 9-person deployment gather before their flight to Queensland, 24 January 2024

Nine Victorians will be travelling to Queensland this morning in preparation for the state’s cyclone response.

Staff from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and Emergency Management Victoria (EMV) will be making up the contingent. Victorian emergency services will work in incident management roles, while colleagues in New South Wales will form ground crews.

A tropical low is forming off the coast of Queensland, which is expected to become a cyclone later today before making landfall on Thursday. Heavy to intense rainfall is forecast to affect central and western parts of the state.

The Victorian crews will be in place by tonight, ahead of the anticipated impact of the cyclone.

Quotes attributable to Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent:

“Victorians are always ready to help – whether that be at home or interstate. Thank you sincerely to those who have put their hand up to assist our northern neighbours.”

“Our emergency management teams are highly skilled and experienced, and we will continue to support our colleagues in Queensland as required.”

Quotes attributable to VICSES Acting Chief Officer Operations Alistair Drayton:

“VICSES has once again answered the call for help, and I could not be prouder of our members for giving up their time to assist our counterparts in QLD as heavy rainfall is expected to hit the state later this week. I also want to thank their families at home for enabling them to deploy interstate and provide much needed assistance, at such short notice”.

“The team will support crews in QLD across a range of IMT functionalities out of Mackay, utilising and applying their valuable skills in the space.”

Quote attributable to FFMVic Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman:

“I’m very proud of our Victorians who are going up to help our Queensland neighbours in their hour of need.“