Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 1 Hansard (30 January) . . Page.. 20 ..

MR WOOD (continuing):

What does that mean? It means to make sense out of the extraordinary and calamitous circumstances, the hundreds of phone calls coming in from the public, the dozens of observational reports from fire, ambulance and police ground and air crews working at fire fronts in thick smoke at dozens of sites spotted across the territory, the updates from the Bureau of Meteorology, the updates from neighbouring states advising on the shift of the wind and fire patterns and firefighting strategies in their areas, all in the busiest day on record for all emergency services.

Emergency services had to determine the reality, to judge where to put resources that were already on alert and in action, in conditions that changed and erupted so quickly along so many fronts and sites, and they had to fight the spot fires, to control traffic, to advise residents and evacuate, to tend to the injured, not at one site but at dozens, and do so not in ideal conditions, not in very bad conditions, but in impossible conditions, in high temperatures and with firestorm strength winds, not with two to three properties threatened, but with scores of properties and that number growing by the minute. They had to contend with the impossible task of extinguishing the many house and infrastructure fires that occurred across an affected built edge of approximately 72 kilometres.

I say to our emergency personnel that Canberrans understand the complexities of the task you faced. But, despite the planning, the readiness and the commitment, the onslaught of these fires was such that terrible losses have been suffered. Emergency workers from fire, police and ambulance services feel these losses. The outcome was not the outcome that these men had trained for and planned for. The losses have been great.

I want now to acknowledge those losses and as minister, on behalf of all emergency workers involved in fighting the bushfires, extend sorrow and compassion to the families and friends of those who died, to those who have been injured, to those who have lost their homes and farms, and to those who have suffered damage to their homes, animals and property. We acknowledge the losses. Importantly, we acknowledge the struggle of our emergency services people, the hour upon hour struggle to confront the fires and turn them away.

We extend our thanks, our respect and our support to all those emergency workers in the fire, ambulance, police and other services-those at the front; those in command and in management positions; those behind the scenes in administrative, communications and support roles; those emergency service workers who are locals and who love Canberra dearly; those emergency service workers from out of town who committed their services to the people of Canberra; the highly trained professionals; the members of the Australian Army, Air Force and Navy; the dedicated part time forces; the volunteers who came on board in droves in support roles as the crisis developed. We thank you.

A host of emergency agencies, support personnel and voluntary organisations, along with many local and interstate industries, businesses and expertise, contributed in so many ways. A full list of the agencies and organisations is still being compiled and it is likely to take a long time to do so to ensure that we do not overlook anyone.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .