DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 065/09
Saturday, 28 February 2009
DEFENCE CONTINUES ITS SUPPORT TO VICTORIAN FIRES
Soldiers remain on the ground in fire-ravaged areas of Victoria and will stay until
local communities and authorities are ready to take over the recovery effort.
The Commander of the Joint Task Force managing Defence’s support to the Victorian
Government and its fire relief effort, Brigadier Michael Arnold announced that
another 110 troops were moving into the Kinglake area this weekend. The soldiers
will be tasked to assist Victorian and Australian Federal Police in a new phase of the
search process in devastated towns and communities.
To relieve some of the Reservists, this weekend Brigadier Arnold welcomed the
arrival of almost 90 Reserve soldiers from the News South Wales based 5th and 8th
Brigades, and the South Australian based 9th Brigade. Soldiers from Western
Australia have already arrived in Melbourne.
“The arrival of these soldiers will bring relief to some of the Defence members that
have been working constantly for the past 19 days. They will be quickly trained in the
search task and will form a 110-strong search team for tasks next week.”
“Some of the Reserve soldiers who have been working constantly now need to return
to work. We thank them for their efforts and their employers for their flexibility.”
Brigadier Arnold said troops have been moving around the affected areas as required
by Victorian authorities, helping with search tasks and providing services and
facilities to the community. He said soldiers and assets would continue to be
repositioned as needed.
“We are providing support as requested by Victorian government authorities and
continue to stand ready for additional tasks, if required,” Brigadier Arnold said.
He said other elements, such as chainsaw and engineer teams, were ready to move if
needed if fire conditions deteriorate.
“We’ve also got some temporary accommodation stores on wheels ready to go if
they’re required, so I’m confident we’ve got our assets in place and ready to go if the
State authorities require them,” Brigadier Arnold said.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
