TC Jasper disaster recovery leadership bolstered

Support for Far North Queensland communities recovering from the devastation of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper and subsequent flooding has been boosted with the appointment of a deputy state recovery coordinator.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Deputy Commissioner Mike Wassing, who was appointed to the role this week, will work alongside QRA CEO and Queensland State Recovery Coordinator Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd) in overseeing recovery operations.

Impacted communities are facing multiple challenges, including restoring essential services such as electricity and water, repairing damage to roads and other infrastructure, making houses habitable again, and reopening businesses.

In leading Queensland’s response to the disaster, Jake and Mike will coordinate the disaster recovery operations, provide strategic advice to government agencies, give regular updates about recovery operations, and oversee recovery operations.

Between them, Jake and Mike have led, or had pivotal roles in, in the response and recovery of some of Australia’s worst natural disasters.

This includes the 2022 south-east Queensland floods, 2019 Black Summer bushfires in New South Wales, 2017 ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, and the 2009 Black Saturday fires in Victoria.