Clwyd West Assembly Member Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to assist Australia in fighting the devastating bush fires there by sending a team of firefighters from Wales.
Speaking in the Welsh Parliament this week, Darren said he has been contacted by a number of firefighters from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service who are keen to fly to Australia to help put out the fires, and appealed to the Welsh Government to enable this to happen.
Calling for a Statement from the Minister for Housing and Local Government in relation to any support that the Welsh Government may have offered to the Australian fire services as a result of the bush fires, he said:
“We've all seen the devastating scenes of homes, properties and businesses being destroyed, along with heartbreaking footage of wildlife in Australia in recent weeks.l as a result of the bushfires which have affected an area larger than the size of Wales. Lives have been lost, including brave firefighters who have been putting their lives at risk for others.
“I've been contacted by a number of firefighters for the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who, moved with compassion, want to go out and assist their colleagues in Australia in a practical way. Having discussed this with them, it would appear that the response of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is that they don't have the resources to enable them to be released. Given the links between Wales and Australia, we really ought to stand shoulder to shoulder with the emergency services there so I would urge the Welsh Government to consider making the funds available to send a small team of firefighters made up of personnel from each of Wales' fire and rescue services to go and assist in the effort.”