1 Jan 2020
Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell was tasked by Minister for Defence Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC in November 2019 to give an order to local base commanders, making clear that they have the authority to use Defence resources to respond to any local contingencies under Defence Assistance to the Civil Community Category 1 (DACC 1) and that assistance continued into 2020.
Senior ADF officers and other commanders were empowered to provide emergency assistance in local emergency situations to save human life, prevent extensive loss of animal life, or widespread damage to property.
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircraft transported firefighter strike teams from Canberra, Adelaide and Hobart among other tasks throughout the Bushfire Assist response.
Defence enhanced its planning and liaison support to emergency services including embedding planners into Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centres and New South Wales Rural Fire Service headquarters.