Vic Fires. How can I help
Submitted: Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 13:32
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Vince NSW
Sitting here with a feeling of frustration at not being able to help. Sent money to red cross but what else can we do to help.
i finish full time employment in 2 weeks and will be available to help in any way i am needed, but who do I contact ?
I would be able to get my self & camper to Vic and be self contained for a month, so would not add to the community burden.
Anyone have any ideas who to contact.
Vince
Reply By: Robin Miller - Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 13:52
Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 13:52
Might be just a little early Vince but I suspect that within your 2 weeks the situation will stabilze.
There are still current fires as
well.
The town of Aexandra - a local hub of about 2000 people might be a good base as its just north of the worst areas and is becoming a large staging ground.
Help may be needed in some areas.
From our own experience some interesting things are happening - despite a loss of life a relatives motel complex in Marysville has already been assesed and a huge
check is already in the mail. However this site will be permanently abandoned .
Moving over to slightly less affected areas - a friends house at
Buxton has been burnt down.
Another friends house was burnt down in the unrelated gippsland fires of a week earlier.
His experience has been that he has had to divide his weckage into metal/ bricks and other rubbish.
The council then came and took the rubble away by catergory.
This
clearing of rubble might be the first line of practical help required as I believe the number of houses destroyed has been upped to some 1800.
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Follow Up By: Vince NSW - Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 14:05
Friday, Feb 13, 2009 at 14:05
Thanks for your information form the ground so to speak. I am truly sorry to hear of your friends & famlies losses.
Part of the frustration ( and I'm not alone here) is that I'm a long time member of the NSW Rural Fire Service & know what the CFA people must be going through. Not to be able to defend houses, let alone the loss of life is gut wrenching, and to be in NSW not being able to help is hard to take.
Vince
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Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 09:22
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 09:22
I volunteered at the
Sydney Call Centre (SES and Volunteer Rescue Association members only) and the advice we were giving people, was to go to -
http://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/html/s02_article/article_view.asp?art_id=3686&nav_cat_id=359&nav_top_id=55
or phone Victoria Bushfire Volunteer Hotline on 1300 366 356
. . . but keep this in mind -
“We have been inundated with offers of support - more than 10,000 people have offered their
services since last weekend, and we are overwhelmed by people's generosity and willingness to help. Victoria's emergency and relief agencies are very grateful for your generous offer of assistance and are working with the Government to determine how to make best use of the help in coming days.
As you will appreciate, it will take some time to respond individually to all these offers, and not everybody can be used immediately, but every offer is greatly valued.
We will be passing your offers of assistance to community organisations who will contact you directly when they need your help.”
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Reply By: davmac452 - Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 14:44
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 14:44
Hi Vince.
Yes it is frustrating. The emergency
services are doing a brilliant job in at least providing immediate help in food, clothing and shelter. All emergency assistance is absolutely swamped with generosity at present so i think the 2 week period will really tell us what is required.
4wd Victoria is organising a rural response group.
Check www.4wdvictoria.com.au.
the Mobile Landcare Groups of LROCV, PAJERO and western clubs are also mobilising as a Landcare response to this disaster. But our response will be over an extended period of months if not years to assist small farms and communities get back on track.
Projects will include fencing and stock yards, sheds and barns, replanting of trees along creeks and gullies, erosion control, feed distribution for both stock and native animals. making and installing nestboxes to replace the tree hollows burnt out. Many other tasks are being thought of all the time.
In the coming days we are establishing a self registration site where you can volunteer your help, which will be greatly appreciated.
David McKinnon
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Follow Up By: davmac452 - Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 14:50
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 14:50
sorry,
I forgot try also www.lrocvmlcg.com.au for further news.
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Reply By: davmac452 - Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 18:30
Saturday, Feb 14, 2009 at 18:30
Hi ALL Me again.
Just seen the news about fire fighters getting sacked.
Just opened a beer. Nasty taste, of yeah Carlton is owned by Fosters. Think I might change to something not made by them !!
Hahn, Tooheys or even 4x.
Lets all boycott Fosters, not that they would even care.
And yes Mr. Moderator I know it is probably inappropriate but if Fosters don't care enough about their loyal workers then why should we prop up their profits.
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