emergency
Response
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WIRES operates a specialist Emergency Response Team, responding full-time to critical wildlife rescues, mass events impacting wildlife, and the increasing quantity of natural disasters.
WIRES Emergency Response Team
The WIRES Emergency Response Team (ERT) comprises eight highly skilled professionals operating year-round in fully equipped Wildlife Ambulances across New South Wales, Tasmania, and South-East Queensland, providing critical assistance to wildlife in distress.
Equipped with a comprehensive range of rescue equipment and medical supplies, our Emergency Responders are prepared to handle the most challenging rescue scenarios and respond to emergencies Australia-wide. In addition to our core team, over 100 volunteers participate in our Volunteer Emergency Response Team program, extending our reach and ensuring rapid assistance within their branch catchment areas and surrounding regions.
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With thousands of weekly calls to assist wildlife in distress, WIRES ERT works closely with the WIRES Rescue Office, WIRES volunteers, national rescue groups, vets, wildlife hospitals, and community members to respond to the high volumes of urgent wildlife rescues and the increasing quantity of natural disasters
WIRES is focused on growing our Emergency Response Team to help meet the rising ongoing demand for wildlife rescue assistance and to increase our capability to respond to major emergency events when they occur.
During FY24 the team achieved the following:
11
Emergency Response Vehicles across
NSW, TAS and QLD
4,640
Critical Rescues
212,400
Kms Travelled
To best support the emergency rescue of sick, injured, and orphaned, native animals, WIRES wildlife ambulances are fitted with an extensive range of specialised wildlife rescue and safety equipment.
WIRES operates two different kinds of vehicles to suit different operational environments. Some of the vehicles have been selected to ensure their suitability for towing and use on unsealed roads and fire trials.
As part of the ERT, WIRES has also established a Volunteer Emergency Response Team (VERT) within NSW. This team includes over 100 volunteers that have received extensive training to ensure efficient team deployment capability across the state.
Current ERT priorities include:
- Equipping Emergency Responders with personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination supplies compliant with infectious disease controls meeting regularly requirements for a biosecurity response.
- Increasing essential training to equip Emergency Responders with the required skills to safely perform their duties in adherence to the latest government guidelines for emergency response.
- Ensuring ERT communications equipment and vehicle fit outs, exceeds safety requirements for all emergency situations.
As scientists are forecasting more frequent and more intense droughts, fires, floods, storms, and heatwaves, WIRES is committed to growing the ERT with the ongoing help of our supporters, to meet the rising demand for emergency wildlife assistance.
Report a Rescue
For wildlife rescue assistance you must call 1300 094 737 or fill in the Report a Rescue form. All other forms of contact including Facebook are not monitored for rescues.