NSW sends expert staff to help Samoa

1 October 2009

Premier Nathan Rees today farewelled NSW emergency service personnel departing for Samoa as part of the tsunami relief effort.

A 30 strong team of doctors, nurses, paramedics and fire brigade officers from across NSW left from Richmond airbase this morning.

The relief team assembled at Ambulance Headquarters at Rozelle this morning for a briefing before leaving for Samoa.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families both overseas and here at home,” said Mr Rees.

"We have some of the most highly skilled and dedicated health personnel in Australia.

“On behalf of NSW, I thank all of our service men and women who put up their hands to help our neighbours in their time of need.

“Once again some of our most experienced professionals will help with the relief effort after the devastation caused by these natural disasters.”

Public health specialists trained in emergency medicine and anaesthetics will be supported by nurses and paramedics.

“The NSW Government responded to a formal request by the Commonwealth for Samoan assistance and are standing ready if further help is needed in Indonesia,” said Mr Rees.

“It is expected that the tsunami relief team will be deployed up to ten days before being reassessed,” said Mr Rees.

The State Emergency Operations centre will remain in contact with Emergency Management Australia to co-ordinate any further requests or assistance on behalf of NSW authorities.

Personnel were drawn from across NSW including:

Fire Brigade

• 4 Urban Search and Rescue Officers

Ambulance

• Director Medical Retrieval (Medical Commander)
• 2 Special Casualty Access Paramedics (SCAT)
•  Special Operations Intensive Care Paramedics

• General surgeon
• Anaesthetics
• Intensive Care Unit Nurse
• 2 Emergency Department Nurses

•  Emergency staff specialist
• Anaesthetics
• Disaster Coordinator Nurse
• Theatre Nurse
• 2 Emergency Department Nurses

Sydney West 

• EmergencyDepartment Senior Registrar Paediatrics
• 2 Emergency Department Nurses
• General surgeon
• Emergency Department Specialist 
• 2 Theatre Nurses
• Public Health Physician

Greater Western

• Public Health Physician
• Emergency Department