US, Canadian fireys farewelled from NSW
It was a sad farewell for the 32 US and Canadian firefighters who headed home today after battling the NSW bushfires during a season described as the “darkest summer” in the state’s history
NSW
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Dozens of North American firefighters boarded a plane home today just hours after three of their friends were killed after their water bombing aircraft crashed into the Snowy Mountains.
NSW Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons farewelled the 24 Canadian and eight US firefighters who have been helping NSW crews for the past 35 days.
Their farewell was described as “sweet sorrow” by Mr Elliott after the death of three US firefighters when their air tanker crashed while battling fires in southern NSW on Thursday.
A minute’s silence was held during the farewell breakfast on Friday.
“In my house when we farewell guests after their stay there’s a black hole when they go,” Mr Elliott said at the farewell event in Sydney.
“That’s what we’re going to find with you guys.”
Mr Elliott thanked the crews for their contribution in what will be remembered as one of the “darkest summers” in NSW.
The volunteers were thanked by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons who promised to return the favour if they ever needed help.
“You put your hand up knowing that you would come here during Christmas and New Year, a time which is recognised as the most precious time to spend with family and loved ones,” he said.
“You put up your hand to come over here and commit to us during some of the most difficult and unprecedented fire conditions speaks volumes of your commitment and dedication.”
“What you have been able to provide is some reprieve, some rest for crews who have been going for weeks and months.”
The fire chief said the death of the three US firefighters was a “confronting and sombre” reminder of the extent of this year’s fire season.
“We will be forever indebted to the enormous contributions and ultimate sacrifice that’s been paid by these extraordinary individuals,” he said.
This sentiment was echoed by Alaska region fire management officer Chuck Russell who said they were only here for the sprint, while the Australians have been “in a marathon”.
“We know what we do is inherently dangerous but it doesn’t happen that often thankfully and so we don’t prepare for this … we can just come together as a family, which we are, and try and bolster one another up,” he said.
“We have had an evening, and now a day of mourning for them.
The American and Canadian volunteers have been in Australia for 35 days helping in the incident management centres.
This group was originally destined for Queensland but the conditions were so bad in the Sunshine State they were diverted to NSW.