CFA help

By Lia Bichel
Narre Warren East CFA volunteer Lawrie Penpraze said strike teams from many fire brigades travelled to northern Victoria last week to assist people in need.
“Usually we are solely involved in fire, but this was a different scenario. This time we went up to help out after the event occurred,” he said.
“There were damaged caravans, cabins, a lot of fence losses, farmer crop losses and hay losses.
“We sympathised with it when we saw it on the television, but when you are standing there looking at (the damage), it made more of an impact.”
The CFA volunteers performed a number of duties, including assisting with the Rochester council survey to determine who needed assistance and what type of assistance and housing down public areas such as schools and ball courts.
“I think that was important, particularly for younger people. They need to try and get back to a normal lifestyle. They need activity.”
Mr Penpraze said the victims were receiving a lot of help besides that from the CFA.
“The Rochester council, where we were, has been active in trying to get things back to shape, and there are a lot of volunteers up there apart from the CFA who have been helping out,” he said.
“There are a lot of volunteers who have dedicated their time.”
Mr Penpraze said though there was a lot of help in the flood affected area, there was still a need for more volunteers and donations.
“People need services such as sewerage, telephone and electricity, but other donations are also needed,” he said.
To donate, or for more information, check out website www.redcross.org.au