Bushfires don’t respect boundaries and fires that start close to the Victorian-New South Wales border in the far east of our region have potential to threaten communities, infrastructure and assets in both states.
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A long-running cross-border agreement between emergency response agencies addresses the issues and complexities of the management of cross-border fires.
Forest Fire Management Victoria Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Chris Stephenson said: “Our state agencies have been collaborating for more than 20 years on a formal agreement to ensure a rapid and effective response to any bushfires close to the state border.”
“We met in Lakes Entrance on Wednesday, October 18 to review, update and further strengthen our agreement and to prepare ourselves and our systems for the season ahead,” Mr Stephenson said.
“The member agencies involved in the cross-border firefighting arrangements include NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Forestry Corporation of NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Police, Forest Fire Management Victoria, Victorian CFA and Victoria Police.”
“We have a strong level of communication and willingness to work co-operatively through resource sharing arrangements, highlighting the value of these cross-border arrangements.”
CFA Assistant Chief Officer, Trevor Owen said: “It’s critical that our fire agencies work together to protect communities, regardless of borders and boundaries.”
“Our agencies rely heavily on our people and their relationships. It’s essential for the safety of all Australians that we can work together with a common goal.”
“Each agency can provide a range of specialist skills with an array of resources which, when combined can provide communities near the NSW-Victorian border with a bigger range of firefighting resources to meet our day-to-day fire demands.”
“Liaison across the border and between agencies is robust, and the established cooperation and collaboration across an area of mutual interest will ensure a rapid and effective response to any bushfires that might threaten lives and property close to the state border and beyond.”