Posted by on December 23, 2019 10:09 pm
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Categories: µ Newsjones

Volunteer firefighters call for financial support, saying the situation on the ground is ‘out of control’ as the nation’s bushfires crisis continues. Follow the latest news and updates

3.09am GMT

Disappointing news from the ABC, which reports there are some alleged instances of scammers and looters taking advantage of the bushfire crisis.

According to South Australia Police, fire victims have reported receiving phone calls claiming to be from banks looking to pass on disaster relief funds.

The fraudulent callers have asked for the victims’ bank details, and have also targeted members of the public outside the bushfire regions.

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2.54am GMT

It’s going to be a long conversation once the fire season is over, but there is already a lot of talk about resourcing. For what it’s worth, in reporting from different firegrounds, I’ve found opinions differ from place to place, and brigade to brigade. But there’s no question that donations and fundraising form a large part of the supply.

The RFS supplies the necessary equipment. But this social media post from a Northern Beaches brigade sent to Bilpin on Saturday, shows what crews can do with the extra – in this case an iPad and topographical maps funded through donations.

“Video is from last night after the southerly change impacted the Bilpin area, navigating into an isolated property off Bells Line of Road which was under threat with persons in place. The use of the iPad and Topo maps proving very helpful in locating isolated properties (purchased via brigade fundraising).”

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