Report criticises sending NZ firefighters to danger area
Report criticises sending NZ firefighters to danger area
21 November 2008
published by www.radionz.co.nz
New Zealand / Australia– The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports that 11 New Zealand firefighters injured while battling bushfires in Australia in 2006 should never have been in the area.
The ABC has obtained a report by Australian and New Zealand fire authorities that criticises the management of the team.
The New Zealanders had to run for their lives when they were caught in a flare-up near Mansfield in north-east Victoria.
The ABC says the report shows fire crews were working on a steep slope with fire below them and unburnt ground in between.
It quotes a former fire officer as saying those in charge knew this and should never have let the crew work there.
