ACT State Emergency Service does not have concerns regarding the capacity to respond to community calls for help during the outbreak of coronavirus, a spokesperson has said.
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The resolve of volunteers was tested during Thursday's storm in Canberra, with 28 SES members responding to 57 requests for assistance from the community following the rain.
The spokesperson said the seven crews deployed during the 24-hour period was standard personnel numbers during this type of operation.
"The ESA has planned and implemented practices to ensure services will continue to work 24/7 to respond to calls for help," the spokesperson said.
"To date, emergency service responses have not been disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic."
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The capacity to respond was questioned after concerns were raised by volunteers during a search and rescue operation in the Victorian high country this week.
The Victorian police led a search for Russell Hill, 74, and Carol Clay, 73, who have been missing in the Wonnangatta Valley for more than two weeks.
A call out for volunteers in Victoria received a response from six SES branches, with 17 volunteers participating in the operation.
A spokesperson for the Victorian Police said it was satisfied with the search response and the assistance provided from SES and other agencies including the Police Air Wing, Dog Squad, Parks Victoria and the Mounted Cattleman's Association of Victoria.
Wet weather has forced police to call off the search this weekend, after the two friends' campsite and Mr Hill's utility was found burnt out last week.
ACT Emergency Services commissioner Georgeina Whelan said staff and volunteers had adapted to measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing.
There are currently more than 340 active SES members in the ACT, with the majority falling into the 26 to 40-year-old age bracket.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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Alex Crowe
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alex covers science and environment issues, with a focus on local Canberra stories. alex.crowe@austcommunitymedia.com.au
