Monday, February 9, 2009

The CFA

Anyone who's had an eye on the news in Australia is aware that we're on fire right now (in a very, VERY bad way) - we've just had the most intense fires ever on Feb 7th 2009, resulting in a death toll of 173 people (at approx 3:30 PM AEST on Feb 10th, figure still climbing), hundreds of homes destroyed (including a mate of mine) and an estimated damage bill of $2 billion (AU)

Facing this down at the front line has been the Victorian CFA - The Country Fire Authority - who are a completely volunteer force of firefighters who face up to this task every year, every summer. They've never had it worse than this year, though.

Towns have been obliterated, and literally don't exist anymore - towns like Kinglake, Steel's Creek, Strathewen, and St Andrews. Tales are emerging of people running down the street desperately seeking shelter whilst homes explode around them, of the sound of jumbo jets bearing down on them whilst they desperately spray a garden hose on their roof, of one particular man, burnt and peeling skin dropping off his arms, carrying his daughter approaching another family in a field and asking them to look after his daughter as he had lost his two other daughters, and his wife.

The heat was so intense in the blazes that it has been melting alloy wheels. It has killed more than fire itself. Gas cylenders, fitted with a pressure release valve so that they release gas when they get too hot, have been exploding in any case. People driving in cars, desperate to get away, have had major accidents and pileups as they frantically leave the areas under attack from the flames. Many were simply not able to outrun some of the fastest moving fires ever.

It's been... well, excuse the French, but fucking awful to have this going on not 50km from where I sit typing this. Yesterday, I mourned. Today, I'm trying to move on, and work myself back into the swing of things. I've organised a blood donation run at my work. It's an effort which is snowballing nicely. I've managed to complete some actual work, also. I'm planning my grocery shopping around Friday, the day on which the Coles supermarket chain is putting all it's profits to the Bushfire appeal.

But that's nothing compared to what the CFA have done. They are always there, always the heroes, against overwhelming odds. What few homes and buildings that could have been saved were, and only thanks to them. Many rescues have been completed because of them. And many of them have seen things that no-one should see.

My thoughts go to all affected, both victims, and CFA volunteers alike - many are one and the same. I wish I could write a fitting tribute; a short story, a song, or something, but such a thing would need a little more planning than this.

HELP:

Donate Blood

Give to the Red Cross

Give to the Salvation Army

1 comment:

  1. wow...

    and you have! you've done a great job recounting the devastating events that have occurred and you've contributed immensely to the cause by organising a blood donation... and thats a whole lot more than alot of other people have done! i didnt know alot about what happened and im glad you said them here. now that i know all this, i feel so petty and selfish for not donating blood simply for a fear of needles... i will now, most definately, be donating as soon as i can.

    thank you for the insight :)

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