Bushfires bring out the best of fire-affected communities

Say what you will about social media, but in times of crisis like the bushfires, it has a knack for bringing out the best in communities, as locals on the Central Coast and Macarthur have shown.

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As firefighters endure another long day of bushfire emergencies, communities in affected areas have been quietly banding together to support neighbours and exhausted firefighters.

Facebook community groups have become a hive of activity in areas like Macarthur and the Central Coast, where locals are organising food drops for RFS brigades, offering safe places to evacuate animals, park caravans and even pick up evacuees needing a lift.

In the Macarthur region, where fires at Green Wattle Creek have forced many locals to enact bushfire survival plans, the offers have been rolling in on Facebook groups.

The Cawdor RFS brigade’s welcome drop of goodies thanks to a ccollection by the local school, Camden South Service station and community members.

In the main street of Camden, Macarthur Mowers and Machinery has been fixing firefighting pumps and generators free of charge to locals in fire-affected areas after posting an offer on Facebook last night.

“We’ve had three people come in this morning getting their pumps fixed. We just did it because we wanted to help out,” said manager Nathan Mills.

Despite the business having a tough year due to the drought, Mr Mills said that was nothing compared to those facing the possibility of losing their homes.

“There’s a lot of tension for everyone out there at Nattai, Oakdale, Orangeville, Warragamba, we have staff members from out there who have had to evacuate,” he said.

Macarthur Mowers offering to assist locals need firefighting pumps and working generators.

Braddocks Rd, Orangeville, where properties came under ember attack and crown fires across tree tops. Picture: Fire and Rescue NSW

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Camden locals were also keen to lend a hand. John Smith offered up his fenced paddock to house animals while fires burned in Green Wattle Creek, west of the Warragamba Dam.

“This is an offer for no charge, temporary accommodation for your animals. The only thing I want is to help,” Mr Smith wrote on a Camden community Facebook page.

The team at Camden Woolworths has been collecting items for The Oaks RFS to assist firefighters and volunteers in Oakdale, Werombi, or Orangeville, while the Juicy Goose Cafe in Smeaton Grange offered firefighters a place to recharge.

“It may only be something small, but we are offering all firefighters a place to recharge with coffee, drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner on us. This will be ongoing until the local fires are under control,” the cafe owners posted.

NSW Rural Fire Service crews work to protect properties on Kellyknack Rd as the Three Mile fire approaches Mangrove Mountain on Thursday, December 5. Picture: AAP

On the Central Coast, where residents in Lower Mangrove, Greengrove, Mangrove Creek and Mangrove Mountain were warned to seek shelter on Thursday, residents have been equally generous.

On the Gosford and Peninsula Neighbourhood Community, Kyle Wallis offered his ute to help evacuate people, pets, cherished belongings, and fish. His post was shared 1100 times.

“Spread the word around and hopefully a lot more people with trailers and horse movers and things like this can help anyone in need,” he wrote.

“An odd point but to some people also valuable, I have aquariums that I can stock your cichlids/ tropical fish if you cannot rehome them fast enough and can return to you in good health once you’re back on your feet.”

Fiona Crain's Facebook post: "Although our fireys receive the basic food requirements to take with them there is nothing more uplifting for them when they return or are heading out from the staging area to have some special extras. "

Central Coast resident Kyle Wallis offered to bring his ute to anyone in need of evacuating, and was willing to help out those who needed a place to house their fish. Picture: Facebook

Others have offered backyards in Ourimbah and Woy Woy for storing large valuable items, animals, or caravans accommodating evacuees.

Fiona Crain, who lives on the mountain, said the fireys were working hard in difficult terrain to keep properties and animals safe and stop the fire spreading to more populated areas.

Ms Crain was organising food drops for fireys, with members of the Gosford and Peninsula Neighbourhood Community delivering in spades.

“Although our fireys receive the basic food requirements to take with them there is nothing more uplifting for them when they return or are heading out from the staging area to have some special extras,” she wrote on the group’s Facebook page.

On Wednesday, Ms Crain and her fellow organisers delivered fresh fruit, instant noodles, protein bars, lollies, electrolyte tablets, toilet paper, tissues, wet wipes, and soft drinks and “with the sheer volume of crews staging from Mangrove, the goodies were devoured in no time at all.”

Thanks to all these school kids who have sent us cards thanking all the firefighters! It’s really appreciated! 👏 #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/3rEYwT7BfW

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 5, 2019

School kids in fire-affected areas have also been sending in cards of thanks to the RFS, which have been proudly displayed by the firefighters.

Meanwhile, the extraordinary success of GoFund me pages continues, with the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital fundraiser — that started with a $25,000 target — now reaching $1,919,330 thanks to donations from across the country and the globe.

Is your community rallying to support each other? Tell us in the comments below.