SW QLD | 6 Feb 2012
Emergency services are continuing to assist residents and other Government agencies with the flood response and recovery effort in several south west Queensland towns.
The towns of Mitchell and Roma have started a clean up and recovery phase as flood waters recede.
More than 70 firefighters with specialist training including rapid damage assessment and swiftwater rescue remain on the ground in Roma and Mitchell to assist the community. These firefighters are part of a 180-strong contingent of firefighters that have been deployed throughout south western region including Charleville (28 personnel), Toowoomba (36 personnel), St George (25 personnel) and State Operations (23 personnel).
SES and Rural Fire Service volunteers are also in Mitchell and Roma to assist with clean up efforts.
Rapid Damage Assessment firefighters have been working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority to determine the severity of flood affected buildings in the towns.
These firefighters utilise their training and specialised electronic equipment which determines the level of flood inundation as well as subsequent damage and response requirements for that property.
Rapid Damage Assessments have been conducted on 478 properties in Mitchell with 247 of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
In Roma, rapid damage assessments have been conducted on 546 properties with 416 of these being affected by floodwaters to varying extents.
The town of St George is now bracing for a flood peak tomorrow.
SES volunteers have been assisting in reinforcing the town’s flood barrier and evacuating residents from the town. Seven SES flood boat operators and three flood boats will remain in the town following evacuations later today.
Twenty-five swift water and incident management trained firefighters have been placed in St George to assist with evacuation and response operations.
Two Queensland Ambulance Service specialist response teams are continuing to operate out of the Tactical Medical Centre in St George to assist local health providers.
The Tactical Medical Centre, which works as a mobile hospital facility and can accept patients, provides welfare and patient care supplies.
