A team of five will depart for Victoria tomorrow morning to assist in the Bushfire recovery efforts, tasked with running a base camp.

The exact location of the base camp is not known at this stage and tasks will include managing incoming and outgoing emergency crews.

The five team members are:
Team Coordinator, District Officer Ian Lockley - Northern Territory Fire and Rescue - Darwin;
Station Officer Jim Bateman - Northern Territory Fire and Rescue - Alice Springs;
Rob Romaldi - Northern Territory Emergency Service - Alice Springs
Alison Heath - Northern Territory Emergency Service - Darwin
A/Senior Sergeant Richard Howie - Northern Territory Police - Darwin

District Officer Lockley is the Tri-service designated Liaison Officer for Victorian Authorities and has been on standby to establish such a team since the extent of the Bushfires was known.

Mr Lockley is proud to be leading this team and pleased to be able to provide assistance.

"We have remained on standby, and with the enormity of the recovery efforts that still lie ahead, it has always been inevitable we would be sending more assistance to Victoria.

"We have been busy raising funds and organising events in the NT but it's good to actually go and able to provide a break for crews who continue to work around the clock." Mr Lockley said.

The initial deployment is for seven days with the possibility of extension pending requirements.

The Darwin contingent departs at 07:30hrs to Alice Springs where they will meet the rest of the team, departing together for Melbourne at 11:05hrs

Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services are committed to assisting Victorian Authorities and continue to remain on standby to send more members to Victoria as required.

Four members of the Tri-service executive returned from Victoria from an observation exchange on Sunday 15 February and four NT Police forensic experts returned on Tuesday 17 February.


Media contact:
Katie Fowden
040111 6540