**Australia Fire Fighter Assignment Information**

**All firefighters, regardless of department or agency affiliation must
obtain/complete the following items:**

**Red Card:**

All firefighters **MUST** have a current Red Card in their possession
upon mobilization.

**Passports:**

All firefighters **MUST** have a current Official ***or*** personal
passport that will **NOT** expire while they are in travel status to
Australia (30 day assignment plus travel).

**Forest Service:** **Foreign Travel Proposal. 6500-1** Each employee
traveling to Australia [MUST]{.underline} fill out this form and send it
to Sandy Farber with a cc to Terri Edgell at Lotus Notes:
sfarber@fs.fed.us, tedgell@fs.fed.us. The electronic version of the
6500-1 can be accessed at:

http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/im/forms/fs_forms/index.htm

**DOI - Foreign Travel Certification Form DI-1175:**

This is a Departmental form which must be completed and submitted to the
employee\'s DOI International Office which, after gaining agency
approval, submits the 1175 to the Department for approval. The
Department\'s signature on this form gives the employee approval to
travel internationally on official DOI business. Employees should carry
a copy of the DI-1175 as part of their official travel orders. *Copies
of the DI-1175 must also be submitted with travel vouchers for
reimbursement.* NO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SHOULD BEGIN UNTIL THE EMPLOYEE
HAS A SIGNED COPY OF THE 1175!

**Visas:**

Australian visas are available **online** through Carlson/Wagonlit and
FedTraveler.

**Airline Tickets:**

Firefighters will be traveling to Australia in a group(s) on the same
flight. NIFC/NICC will designate the Chief of Party for the group.

All agency employees traveling to Australia on a resource order will
purchase a ***fully refundable, roundtrip airfare*** to Melbourne,
Australia. Your return date should be booked for 33 days from your
departure date. Specific information will be provided by NICC prior to
making travel arrangements, regarding travel dates and international
flight information.

The international portion of the flight ***must*** be on a U.S. flag
carrier airline (United, Delta, Continental, etc.). A codeshare flight
is allowed if the ticket ***is issued*** by a U.S. flag carrier. Both
Carlson and FedTraveler are aware of this requirement.

**Country Clearance from the State Department:**

Obtaining "Country Clearance" is different than obtaining a visa.
Country Clearance is the *permission given by the U.S. Ambassador to
Australia to enter Australia as an official of the U.S. Government.*
Ambassadors have the authority and responsibility to coordinate all
official U.S. activities in their assigned country. The country
clearance request explains why the individual is requesting to come into
the country, whom he/she will meet/work with, and specify how long the
individual will be in the country.

NIFC/NICC will coordinate with the DOI and Forest Service International
Offices to obtain country clearance.

NIFC/NICC will need the following information when a Country Clearance
request is submitted:

-   Transportation information, including date of both arrival and
    departure (estimated);

-   Point of contact in Australia name, address, and phone number;

-   Locations where individuals will be staying including address and
    phone number.

**Travel Authorization:**

**DOI employees:** **Each person needs a separate Travel Authorization**
which is to be completed at the home unit for the trip to Australia.
***Do not use*** the annual blanket travel authorization. Obtaining the
Travel Authorization is the employee's responsibility.

**USDA employees: All employees will complete a 6500-2 and submit to the
ASC.** A spreadsheet will be completed at NIFC for all Forest Service
employees who will be traveling to Australia. This spreadsheet will
begin the process for issuing a travel authorization and insuring your
government credit card is activated for international use; however, you
will need to submit the 6500-2 form as well.

This ASC website provides instructions for the FS-6500-2 and its
routing.
<http://fsweb.r3.fs.fed.us/asc/bfm/programs/financial-operations/travel/how-to-pages/createTravelAuthorization.php>

**Other Information about the Australian Assignment**

**General Information about Australia:**

<https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/as.html>

**General Information on the State of Victoria:**

<http://www.visitvictoria.com/>

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria\_%28Australia%29](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_(Australia))

**Who will you be working for in Australia?**

This fire assignment will be to the State of Victoria, Australia. You
will fly from the U.S. to Melbourne, the capital of Victoria. You will
be working for the Department of Sustainability and Environment
**(DSE),** which is the main state land management agency. Here is the
main website for current firefighting activities involving DSE:

[**http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/childdocs/-05D409B0BFBBAD5BCA256DA600074990?open**](http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/childdocs/-05D409B0BFBBAD5BCA256DA600074990?open)

You will also work with other Victorian State agencies such as Parks
Victoria. The State of Victoria has a single volunteer fire fighting
organization, the Country Fire Authority **(CFA).** You will also be
working with CFA firefighters. Their website is:

**http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/**

Other fire fighters from other Australian states may also be on the
fireline. In 2003, U.S. firefighters worked with several states and New
Zealand firefighters.

**What Support/Information You Will Receive from DSE:**

When you arrive in Australia you will be given extensive briefings on
fuels, weather, and topography. You will also receive briefings on the
various state and volunteer organizations involved in the firefighting
efforts.

The State of Victoria uses an Incident Command System very similar to
the U.S. system. You will be provided with information on the
similarities and differences.

**Other Administrative Issues**

**Subsistence/Per Diem/Camp Rate:**

DSE will provide you with lodging and with most meals. If for some
reason meals are not provided you can voucher for those days when you
incur expenses for meals. Otherwise you will receive the normal camp
rate of \$3 per day.

**Flying in Uninspected/Uncarded Aircraft:**

Firefighters may find it necessary to fly in Australian aircraft in
unpredictable situations. It should be noted that the State of Victoria
has a very professional and safe aviation management operation. However,
flights fall outside the normal aviation management regulations. Both
Department of the Interior and Agriculture employees are allowed to fly
in foreign aircraft.

**DOI** Departmental Manual 350 1.2 states that: "The DM350-354 series
does not apply to international DOI operations. However, DOI employees
should attempt to follow DOI aviation policies to the extent practical.
In all cases, DOI employees are expected to use good judgment and common
sense."

**USDA** employees will be provided with a statement to attached to
their Travel Authorization from the Washington Office National Aviation
Officer, approving flying in Australian aircraft that are uncarded and
uninspected.

**Coding your time:**

Code your time to the fire code assigned to this deployment. Consider
this assignment just like any other fire assignment.

**Work/Rest Guidelines:**

Normal work/rest guidelines will be followed. This should not be an
issue in that the State of Victoria currently has a work/rest policy of
7 days on and 2 days off.. Daily hours should be managed just like on a
U.S. fire.

**Communicating Home:**

**DO NOT BRING YOUR GOVERNMENT CELL PHONE.** It probably won't work
anyway and if it does it is very expensive to use. Get your unit to
authorize international access on your Government issued calling card
The same rules apply for calling home from Australia as they do on any
fire assignment. If you cannot obtain a Government issued calling card
or do not/cannot get international access on your Government issued
calling card, purchase a commercial calling card with international
capability. Recoup the cost of the calling card when you fill out your
travel voucher.

**Personal Cell Phones:**

If you want to bring your *personal cell phone*, do so **at your own
risk**. And remember it won't work in Australia unless it has a SIM card
for the Australia system. Do not expect reimbursement for call made from
a personal cell phone.

**Radios:**

**DO NOT TAKE ANY GOVERNMENT RADIOS.** If you need communications
equipment it will be issued to you in Australia.

**Laptops:**

**DO NOT BRING LAPTOPS.** If you need computer support for your
position, Australia will provide it to you.

**Medical Support:**

Just like on a U.S. fire assignment, the DSE as the hosting agency will
be responsible for ensuring that any immediate medical attention needs
and support are provided.

**Personal Preparation Checklist:**

The following is a checklist that each employee who is about to begin an
international assignment should review to insure that the
needs/requirements have been identified and addressed. Employees should
be as individually mobile as possible. Unless you are traveling as a
member of a large team, try to limit your personal belongings to what
you can carry.

**Personal Items:**

\[ \] Valid passport (Make two copies of picture page, leave one at
home, take the second and put it in a place separate from your
passport).

\[ \] Two extra passport photos.

\[ \] Government issued credit card. ***NOTE:** Government credit cards
should work in Australian ATMs. Check with whoever handles your credit
cards to insure you have international access. If you decide you will
get money using a personal credit card, check with your bank to see if
there are **extra** charges for using it.*

\[ \] Personal health items (see below).

\[ \] Depending on your Government issued credit card, you may also want
an adequate amount of U.S. currency/traveler\'s checks for length of
assignment.

\[ \] PPE to include boots, nomex pants and shirts, hardhat, gloves, and
line gear. Pack your normal gear, **NOT TO EXCEED 65 POUNDS**. Bring a
good quality tent that has netting intact (critter proof). Australian
ants do bite.

\[ \] Strongly suggest you pack light and ***be prepared to CARRY YOUR
GEAR.*** You will not be able to haul around roller suitcases. Leave
them at home!

\[ \] **Fire Shelters -- If *you will be on a fireline assignment, you
must bring a fire shelter with you and carry a fire shelter on the
fireline***. Australia does not stock or require fire shelters but it is
still a requirement for us. Do not expect to get one when you arrive.

\[ \] Casual clothes for weather equivalent to Southern California in
the summer.

\[ \] Toilet articles......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Flashlight with spare batteries

\[ \] Alarm clock

\[ \] Pocket knife......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Ear plugs

**Optional Items: (Brought at your own risk)**

\[ \] Camera with batteries

\[ \] Pocket size binoculars

\[ \] Electrical adapters for appliances

\[ \] Pocket calculator

\[ \] Swapping items (pins, buttons, pencils, stickers, etc.)

**Personal Health Items and Medical Tips:**

\[ \] Prescription medicine for expected length of stay, plus an extra
10 days supply.

\[ \] Medication for colds, allergies, diarrhea, athlete\'s foot,
menstrual cramps, hemorrhoids, constipation, and headaches.

\[ \] Sun screen (15 or higher) ......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Insect repellent......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Antiseptic ointment......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Lip balm

\[ \] Vitamins

\[ \] Small scissors......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Tweezers......**in checked baggage!**

\[ \] Soap/hand wipes