Cat 2 USAR Team sent to Qld
Published: 12th January 2011
In response to a request from the Qld Government, a Fire and Rescue NSW led Category 2 USAR team is being deployed to Brisbane to assist Queensland Fire and Rescue. The team contains 42 USAR specialists, including 2 each from South Australia, Tasmania, Melbourne and the ACT. The remaining 34 are from NSW, including 4 SCAT paramedics, and 2 Structural Engineers from DSTA. The 28 Fire and Rescue Firefighters include 6 HAZMAT firefighters. Their operations will include Risk Assessments of damaged buildings, plus Search and Rescue response as required. The USAR personnel are in addition to the 2 x FRNSW 6 person Swiftwater Rescue Teams that are currently active throughout Queensland. These Swiftwater Teams have been integrated into QFRS response teams, and have been active in St George, Rockhampton, Durrubindi, Gracemere and Chinchilla