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**2007 U.S. Firefighter's Deployment to Australia**

-   **[Summary]{.underline}**

    -   Deployed for 34 days from January 20 - February 22 to assist the
        state of Victoria.

    -   108 fire specialists sent from the five federal wildland fire
        agencies. Contingent included:

        -   2 hotshot crews (Great Basin & Rocky Mtn) used to assist in
            suppression and rehabilitation.

        -   68 mid-level operations managers, section chiefs, and unit
            leaders integrated into Victorian and Canadian IMT's to
            manage fires, respond to "first attack," assist with fire
            rehabilitation and recovery, and staff Emergency
            Coordination Centers in support of numerous fires.

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        -   Provided support to the Victoria Department of
            Sustainability and Environment, Country Fire Authority, and
            Parks Victoria.

        -   2006-2007 Victoria year-to-date fire statistics equal 742
            fires for over 2.95 million acres burned.

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-   **[Fire Assignments and Rehabilitation Efforts]{.underline}**

    -   **Hermit Mountain Fire** - Northeast Region, Corryong District,
        Jan 25 - Feb 4, 12,529 acres

        -   Suppression activities, primarily remote line construction,
            burnout, and "blacking out".

        -   Rehabilitation of walking "tracks" including "The Man from
            Snowy River Track."

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    -   **Great Divide Fire South** - Gippsland Region, Swifts Creek
        District, Feb 5-20, 1,674,511 acres

        -   Staffed day and night shift IMT for 15+ shifts under DSE and
            Canadian Incident "Controller."

        -   Suppression activities, including a lengthy hose lay that
            received numerous accolades.

        -   Rehabilitation assistance with fence rebuilding which
            created excellent public relations.

        -   Local FMO stated that U.S. IHC provided excellent mentorship
            to aspiring young firefighters.

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        -   Managed and implemented rehabilitation plan under a DSE
            Incident Controller.

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    -   **Tatong Fire** - Northeast Region, Goulburn District, Feb 6-17,
        31,810 acres

        -   Managed suppression activities and rehabilitation.

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-   **Bridal and Walking Tracks Restoration** - Mansfield Region,
    Mansfield District, Feb 5-20

    -   Rehabilitated over 26 miles of bridal and walking tracks
        (trails) in the Alpine National Park.

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-   **"First Attack" (Initial Attack) Dispatches**

    -   US crews initial attacked several small fires.

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-   **Beneficial Cultural Exchange and Sharing of Ideas.**

    -   Building of International relations and ties with Victorian DSE
        and other agencies.

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-   **[Emergency Coordination Centers Staffing]{.underline}**

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-   Provided overhead to staff the State and several regional emergency
    coordination centers.

-   Provided air operations specialists to staff state air desk and
    assist several coordination centers and air bases.

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-   **[Formal Information Sharing Meetings]{.underline}**

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-   Meeting of US and NSW IMT members to discuss similarities,
    differences, and opportunities.

-   Meeting of US, DSE, CFA, and MFB fire managers to discuss Unified
    Command options.

-   Meeting of US, DSE, and CFA to discuss development opportunities for
    Division Commanders.

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-   **[Other Accomplishments]{.underline}**

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-   Assisted Corryong District with the planning of several prescribed
    fires.

-   Facilitated visit of National Multi-Agency Command representatives
    to Victoria.

-   Met with NSW IMT to compare methods and processes.

-   Set the stage for future staff and information exchanges in all
    aspects of fire management.

**Contact: Mike Ferris U.S. Forest Service, NIMO (208) 559-5367**