A major deployment of New Zealand firefighters will leave for the United States on Tuesday to support wildfire response operations in the northwest of the country.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is leading the 57-person contingent, which includes volunteer and career firefighters, incident management personnel, and crews from the Department of Conservation, the forestry industry and the New Zealand Defence Force.
Of those deploying, 43 personnel are from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, four are from the Department of Conservation, five are from forestry companies and five are from the New Zealand Defence Force.
Fire and Emergency Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler said the deployment demonstrates the depth of New Zealand’s wildfire capability and the value of agencies training, exercising and deploying together.
“New Zealand is better prepared when all of our firefighting partners train, exercise and deploy together,” Stiffler said. “Having depth in our response capability to manage simultaneous large incidents in New Zealand requires specialist skills from across the sector.”
Stiffler said the deployment also reflects the cooperation needed to mobilize a joint taskforce from across the country for an international response.
Jarron McInnes, from Manulife in Rotorua, will deploy as a crew leader with the forestry sector’s specialist crew. He has previously deployed to wildfire operations in Canada and Australia.
McInnes said forestry-trained firefighters have worked with Fire and Emergency New Zealand on overseas deployments for decades, bringing experience in tree felling, cutting fire breaks and building fire lines.
Department of Conservation Wildfire and Field Skills Manager Brent Swanson said the agency is sending four experienced firefighters as part of the New Zealand team.
Swanson said the personnel were selected for their extensive wildfire suppression experience in New Zealand and internationally, as well as specialist expertise in advanced and hazardous tree felling.
Staff Sergeant Matthew Anker, Fire Master at 4 Emergency Response Troop in Waiouru, said the deployment is closely aligned with the training undertaken by New Zealand Defence Force personnel.
“They are experienced in wildfire response and accustomed to operating in demanding environments as part of a coordinated multi-agency team,” Anker said. “It is an opportunity for them to apply those skills in support of our international partners, while gaining further experience that will strengthen our response capability at home.”
The team will take on roles including firefighters, fire engine crews, chainsaw specialists, helibase managers, logistics officers and liaison officers. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the personnel are experienced in arduous conditions, including steep terrain, high temperatures and remote fire camp environments.
Two other New Zealand deployments are already operating in North America, with five incident management personnel assigned to fires in Washington state and Oregon, and six personnel working in British Columbia. Stiffler said experience gained on large and complex fires overseas is valuable for strengthening New Zealand’s rural firefighting and incident management capability.
