Close to 400 people have signed up to help the Lower North community get back on their feet.
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![The Pinery fires have inspired the community into action, with nearly 400 'spontaneous' volunteers registering to help. The Pinery fires have inspired the community into action, with nearly 400 'spontaneous' volunteers registering to help.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/Fuxf4VmvfUmd225xeYC69T/ba24e8cc-3a02-4b11-9397-deeb0b694313.JPG/r0_305_3264_2140_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Volunteering SA&NT was designated the first point of call for those wanting to lend a helping hand to those affected by last week’s Pinery fire and executive manager of operations Tracey Fox said the response had come from “all over”.
“We’ve got a real mix of people and skills,” she said.
“We’ve even got some interstate people registered, from WA, NT and Qld.”
Ms Fox said the organisation worked by asking for “spontaneous volunteers” to register their desire to help.
“It’s for those who really want to help and don’t know how,” she said.
As the fire ground moves into the recovery stage, she said these volunteers would likely take on a larger role.
“The roles vary with what is required in the community, based on what the community and individuals need,” she said.
“It might be administration work, helping collect data, or it might be environmental, such as helping with fencing or helping to clean up.
“The agencies contact us when they need extra volunteers and we send out a call to those who registered, often based on skills they’ve listed.”
Ms Fox said one message that needed to go out to those who volunteered, was that often the help was needed for a long period after a major event such as a fire.
“Even though they’re available now, doesn’t mean the work is needed now,” she said.
“With recovery activities we are now looking at the next few days, weeks, or even months.
“It could be a one-off, or some jobs could take days.”
While Volunteering SA&NT registers spontaneous volunteers, Ms Fox said people who wanted a more hands on role during emergency periods, like bushfires, should get involved with those on the ground, such as the Country Fire Service, the State Emergency Service or Red Cross.
She said, by linking in with these groups during quieter times, they could be trained and ready to act in future emergencies.