Operation VIC Bushfire Assist Kingslake house searches by Search Task Group

A Search Task Group comprising around 160 Army Reserve soldiers has been established to assist emergency management agencies search through rough terrain on foot.

The soldiers have been drawn from units across Victoria and are operating in small teams, ranging from two people to a platoon strength of around 30.

The search teams have finished working in the Flowerdale area, where the teams covered more than 400 properties. Theyre now operating near Kinglake West, Traralgon, St Andrews, and Yarra Glen.

Once a property has been searched, cleared and the extent of damage assessed, the information is recorded and passed on to the Victoria Police, to ensure all fire-affected areas have been checked.

The Officer Commanding, Major Steve Whitehead, said the magnitude of the devastation was astounding, but his troops have been well briefed and are well equipped to conduct this type of activity.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• ADF
• Australian
• Defence
• Force
• Bushfire
• Crisis
• Operation
• Victoria
• Fire
• Assist
• Search
• Task
• Group
• Kingslake