CFA task force to help firefighters through recovery

Volunteer firefighters are banding together to help bushfire-affected colleagues in East Gippsland and the North East.

CFA fire chief Steve Warrington looks at a destroyed house in Buchan in the fires on Friday, January 3. Picture: David Crosling

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VOLUNTEER firefighters are putting together a task force to carry out weekend recovery projects in East Gippsland and Victoria’s North East to help other CFA volunteers who have lost their homes and property.

Organised by Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria councillors and firefighters Bill Watson, from Wonthaggi, and Rod Stebbing, from Monbulk, the task force will be divided into teams.

“Volunteers are running this for volunteers,” Mr Watson said. “We were there to battle the fires but we’re all part of the same community and this is a great way to follow-up and help people in a tangible, hands-on way.

“Our main priority is volunteer firefighters but we won’t exclude anyone; If we’re doing a job and see a neighbour who needs help then we’ll help them.

“A number of Victorian volunteer firefighters lost homes and other property in the fires. Along with their respective brigades we will support them wherever we can.”

VFBV councillor Bill Watson is organising a task force to help affected CFA volunteers in East Gippsland and the North East.

Mr Watson said the task force aimed to “cover cracks” where insurance and government support was not enough to fund all the recovery work needed.

“We’ll pick up those areas in between; it might be felling trees and cutting them up, general maintenance, fencing, clearing up and other jobs not covered by insurance.

“It’s about helping fellow firefighters and others in their time of need and helping them move on.”

Mr Watson was involved in a similar recovery program after Black Saturday and said the work had been greatly appreciated.

“We removed dead trees, installed fencing and general cleaning ups. We have also worked on flood recovery projects, standing up farmers’ fences after tons of stubble washed onto fences and held them down.”

Volunteers are needed to help with heavy labour. People with skills such as using a chainsaw are required.

The first project will be dedicated to the memory of Don Bigham, a former member of the Gruyere Fire Brigade who Mr Watson described as a great humanitarian who supported previous efforts with time and personal equipment.

The task force is being co-ordinated by VFBV volunteers in Districts 8 and 13, covering Mornington Peninsula to Wonthaggi and Gembrook, and District 13 covers Knox and Warrandyte to Warburton and Dandenong Ranges.

To find out more, contact [e-mail] or [e-mail].

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