A contingent of 30 staff left from the Richmond air base this morning.

Those staff flown in to help come from Sydney west health units and include an emergency department senior paediatrics registrar, two emergency department nurses, a general surgeon, an emergency department specialist, two theatre nurses and a public health physician.

Premier Nathan Rees farewelled the group of doctors, nurses and ambulance paramedics.

``Once again nature has reminded us of the fragility of life and once again it is in our region,'' he said.

``We have some of the most highly skilled and dedicated health personnel in Australia.

``Once again some of our most experienced professionals will help with the relief effort after the devastation caused by these natural disasters.''

Mr Rees sent his sympathies to the victims of the Samoa tsunami and their families.