Salvos crews move into ‘catastrophic’ fire-affected areas of Victoria
- kirranicolle
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) teams have deployed into fire-affected areas of Victoria, and are now providing food, refreshments and support to CFA fire crews and sheltering residents. With conditions changing rapidly, teams are poised to move should they be required to evacuate.
The Victorian Government has upgraded most of the state to ‘Catastrophic’ fire risk.
Two SAES teams were put on standby yesterday in Seymour, close to the Longwood fire, and Eltham. Today, one team has deployed to the relief centre in Seymour, where they have provided breakfast and lunch to residents fleeing the at-risk areas nearby.
The Seymour team will remain in place serving food and refreshments until at least lunchtime tomorrow. The local KFC in Seymour has collaborated with SAES, donating food for evacuees. The Seymour team is expecting an influx of more evacuees from tonight.
The second team this morning deployed to a staging area in Taggerty, also close to the Longwood fire, where SAES crews fed lunch to 500 CFA personnel.
This afternoon, the Taggerty staging area was evacuated, and the team originally planned to relocate to Buxton, but found conditions too unsafe. The team is now planning to set up in Healesville.
Additionally, the SAES are now supplying bedding for 200 evacuees at a centre in Wodonga, near a blaze spreading from Mt Lawson State Park, and for 50 residents in Whittlesea fleeing the Longwood blaze and other fire hotspots in the region.
With temperatures in the state rising above 40 degrees and overnight thunderstorms creating new fire risk areas, the SAES is providing much-needed relief to those battling disastrous conditions.
In a message to SAES personnel and volunteers, Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas said she appreciated all the effort being put in to provide relief to emergency workers and people affected by the bushfires.
“To each of you who have stepped forward – often quietly, always faithfully – please know how deeply grateful we are,” she said.
“In conditions that are unpredictable, exhausting and at times confronting, you continue to show up with compassion, professionalism and a servant heart.
“To our wider Salvation Army family, thank you for the prayers, encouragement and practical support you are offering behind the scenes. Each role contributes to the hope we bring.
“Loving God, protect all affected, strengthen those who serve and guide us in peace and purpose. Amen.”
Follow for more updates as they are released.
