The United States National Multi-Agency Coordination Group requested the international assistance. 

Mr Eberle said he was honoured to be chosen, but his feelings were mixed.

“It’s a very prestigious thing to be asked – it’s also daunting,” he said.

“There’s a moment of trepidation, where you have a bit of self doubt, but when you get there you realise it’s very similar.”

The “stateside” welcome was generous, Mr Eberle said.

“We went over, were given emergency training and then camped on the ground in tents,” he said.

“The way we were looked after was second-to-none.

“The 139 of us (who) went over and other local fire fighters in our district did a fantastic job and achieved a lot. They represented our country with great dignity and did us proud – the locals over there were continually thanking us.”