Salvation Army prepares for new bushfire evacuations

The Salvation Army’s Hawkesbury Emergency Service Teams are preparing for an influx of bushfire-affected residents to arrive at the North Richmond Evacuation Centre.

Salvation Army Emergency Service Director Norm Archer says an evacuation centre has been set up in North Richmond and Salvation Army volunteers and personnel preparing meals for affected people from communities along the Bell’s Line of Road.

“We are preparing to be here for the duration, “ says Norm Archer. “We will be here to feed them and to care for them during this stressful situation.”

Earlier today the head of The Salvation Army in eastern Australia, Commissioner James Condon toured bushfire-affected areas of the Blue Mountains.

“My heart goes out to people who have lost everything,” he said. “It’s wonderful to see the dedication and commitment of Salvationists on the front-line.”

Crews from Springwood Salvation Army remained on burnt-out streets, serving breakfast and lunch to residents and emergency services personnel who are assessing the devastation.

One of those volunteers, Neal Errington, says being available to care for people is what The Salvation Army is all about: “people in these situations, as soon as they turn around who is the first person that they see? It should be one of us, somebody from The Salvation Army.”

Springwood Salvos Stores opened its doors today and encouraged people affected by the fires to come in for assistance with quality new and used goods available for those in need.

The Lithgow Salvation Army Emergency Services crew is active at the town’s evacuation centre serving hot and cold drinks and providing comfort to those there.

North of New South Wales in Raymond Terrace Salvation Army volunteers have been serving three meals a day to fire-fighters.