07/02/2012

RACQ’s Community Response Team is on its way to the State’s south west to help residents of the flood-stricken region in their hour of need.

The 20-strong team of trained emergency response officers will arrive in Roma tomorrow morning with a fleet of disaster response vehicles to help the community tackle the daunting task of cleaning up after the recent floods.

Community Response Team Coordinator Steve Thomson said the team had received a direct request for assistance from Emergency Management Queensland and would be based in Roma for a week.

“While there, we will be travelling out to Mitchell and other flood-affected towns in the region to help these communities with the recovery effort,” Mr Thomson said. 

“We will be cleaning houses, clearing debris from roadways, recovering submerged and stranded vehicles, providing roadside assistance, and supporting other emergency services groups.

“The team will also be handing out comfort packs to residents whose homes and belongings have been damaged.

“Our Community Response Team is fully funded by RACQ as part of our commitment to helping disaster-affected Queenslanders.”

RACQ’s Community Response Team is taking two four-wheel-drives, two tilt-tray tow trucks, two roadside assistance vehicles, the Mobile Training Centre, and a cargo truck, as well as clean-up equipment.

“This disaster has shaken Roma and surrounding communities to the core and we will be assisting every way we can, working around the clock to help them get back on their feet,” Mr Thomson said.