ADF inspired by community they serve

Commander of Operation Flood Assist support in Victoria, Brigadier Matt Burr, said the clean-up of a Rochester school demonstrated the team effort of volunteers, staff and emergency responders working with the ADF in flood preparations and clean up areas.

CAPTION: Army reservists from the greater Victorian region begin clearing flood damage items from the Rochester RSL in Victoria as part of the ADF’s ongoing support during Operation Flood Assist 2022-2. Story by Lieutenant Carolyn Martin. Photo by Corporal Jonathan Goedhart.

“We continue to be inspired by the communities we are serving and the community response we are seeing across flood affected areas,” Brigadier Burr said.

“The joint effort inspires the ADF forces to continue to do the work they are doing shoulder to shoulder with emergency responders on the ground as part of that wider team.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews thanked the ADF for their efforts, particularly for their work at Rochester and Seymour schools.

“We are deeply grateful for our partnerships with the federal government and of course its agencies, chief among them the ADF. On behalf of all Victorians I thank Brigadier Burr and all of his team for the really important work they are doing,” Mr Andrews said.

“We have had ADF here in the state control centre, over a long time period of time, floods and fire and everything in between. Sometimes it’s very specialist skills about logistics and tasking, people who have that very important skill set, all the way through to people who are doing airlifts of cargo, of people and indeed, evacuating people.”

Emergency Management Victoria Deputy Commissioner Chris Stephenson thanked all the emergency service organisations on the ground in flood affected areas for their efforts so far in the emergency.

The ADF remains postured to provide additional support to State Emergency Services should a request be received via National Emergency Management Australia.

CAPTION: Australian Army Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles drive through flood waters to assist Shepparton residents affected by the floods in the Victoria region. Photo by Private Tyson Grant.

.

.


.


.