An emergency response to the Somersby blaze
Kirsty Nelson from Tuggerah Lakes Corps, with Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters at the Somersby fire (Credit: Photo courtesy of Kirsty Nelson).
Salvation Army volunteers are working tirelessly to support emergency services fighting a large blaze at a recycling centre in Somersby on the NSW Central Coast.
Volunteers from Gosford, Westlakes, Tuggerah Lakes, Long Jetty and Umina Beach corps, along with a divisional Salvation Army Emergency Services team, have been working since Friday night.
They are running six-hour shifts four times a day to provide meals, refreshments and snacks to emergency services personnel.
Newcastle and Central NSW Divisional Emergency Services Coordinator Hans Schryver says the first two days of the blaze were the toughest. Emergency services workers and volunteers tackled the fire as it spread through mountains of recycling in a massive shed with a collapsed roof.
Thanks to their efforts, the fire is now under control. Multiple emergency services teams from Fire and Rescue New South Wales and the New South Wales Rural Fire Service remain on the scene.
The Salvation Army Emergency Services team will stay to support emergency workers as long as required. The team comprises around 25 volunteers a day and serves around 50 hot meals per shift.
Mr Schryver says he is astonished by the commitment of Salvation Army volunteers.
“We have a large group of well over 350 Salvation Army volunteers in our division. I am so grateful that people just put their hands up to go out and do so much for others,” Mr Schryver says.
“They not only feed emergency workers, but also offer a listening ear and friendly face.
“Support in emergencies is historically and currently a very important part of the work and ministry of The Salvation Army. We care for humanity in need.”
“As much as we work to support others, our volunteers report also getting great personal satisfaction from volunteering – a real buzz. It’s a wonderful expression of their Christian faith and a very effective outreach.”
Fire & Rescue NSW Acting Zone Commander Inspector Mark McKay, who is overseeing the emergency, says in a letter of thanks that the provision of around the clock meals and refreshments were much appreciated by the fire-fighters.
"Conditions were often unpleasant for fire-fighters and Salvos staff with strong winds, smoke and freezing nights to contend with".
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