Thank you to our CFA firefighters

By Karen George

February 7, 2009 saw the worst conditions on record and a recipe for devastating fires. Unfortunately our worst fears were realised. So many people in Victoria lost homes, businesses and worst of all loved ones. The verocity of the winds were more unpredictable than anyone could have imagined.

For our own town, there were fears of the repeat of Ash Wednesday and the 1996 fires that claimed both lives and property.

We did have a fire that was thankfully controlled and finally extinguished by our brilliant fire fighters. We can't thank them enough for ensuring the safety of our area by doing their job well in such terrible conditions. Congratulations to you all on a job well done.

We also have to thank all of the other local emergency services that sprung into action to keep us all safe.

We also have to acknowledge the families of all of these special people who sit home and worry if they are ok as they face the unpredictablity of fire.

Now is not the time to be complacent. The fire season is still upon us so we have to be prepared to act. For further information on how to plan or to keep informed, please visit our CFA page

How can you help?

Coonara Community House, 22 Willow Road, Upper Ferntree Gully are taking donations of toiletries, new underwear, packaged food, including pet food. Cash donations will be used to buy items of current need.

Coles to donate this Friday's profits to Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund
Salvation Army Victoria Bushfire Appeal
Australian Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal
National Australia Bank Victorian Bushfire Relief Fund
Corporate Responses to the Victorian Bushfire Emergency
Red Cross Blood Service is encouraging people to donate blood. People should call 13 14 95 during business hours.

Media

Herald Sun Article - 8.2.09

In Upper Ferntree Gully, an aged care nurse, 58, battled flames with a garden hose as his Upper Ferntree Gully property was engulfed.

As soon as CFA crews arrived at 3.45pm, he ditched the hose and grabbed his family's passports and drove to safety.

"I was sitting down in front of the airconditioner and it's very noisy . . . so I didn't hear anything. When I looked outside the flames were just everywhere," he said.

The man's wife and adult son were also home, but escaped uninjured from their Burwood Highway home.

CFA crews were able to control the blaze within three hours, but it burnt at least 2ha of land along the Belgrave railway line.