Army Reserves in Tasmania are training to provide assistance to the fire service this summer
Army Reserves in Tasmania are training to provide assistance to the fire service this summer
23 November 2009
published by www.abc.net.au
Australia– The reservists are converging on Lake Barrington in north-west of the state today, for a five-day bushfire training exercise.
While the army does not fight fires, it is often called on to provide support.
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Herbert says about 100 reservists will take part in a range of exercises.
“We would be providing logistics support to the Fire Service to Tasmania Police,” he said.
“We’re also preparing to be able to provide temporary accommodation for displaced people whose houses have been destroyed and have had to be evacuated from certain areas.”
Lt Col Herbert says last year’s Victorian bushfires highlighted why it is so important to keep up to date on training.
“Some of our people did deploy to Victoria on 24 hours notice to provide support… hopefully that wouldn’t happen in Tasmania but if it did, we may well be called on in the same way the army was called on Victoria,” he said.
“So to be prepared to do that is very important.”
