Spreading Relief Widely !

 The loss of a massive waterbomber and its crew underlines the intense risk to life involved in fighting bush fires.  The men and women on the ground are in danger from falling trees and sudden wind changes that can bring the fire back on them with little warning.  All the training in the world will not protect them from the unexpected.

Water bombers are a relatively new concept.  To be effective these giant airplanes need to come in low - and slow.  They are flying through smoke that lowers visibility and there are giant thermals rising from the fire below to be taken into account by the pilots.   Flying a plane in those conditions is similar to a war experience.

What is exceptional is the generosity across the nation as people have put their hands in their pockets and made donations to relief funds. Many millions of dollars are now in the hands of welfare agencies who have the responsibility to make the best use of the money in payments to victims.   As always, there will be harsh criticism on whatever formulae is applied to how this money is distributed.

One of the absolute necessities is getting those sites cleared to enable the ground to be ready for rebuilding.  Where the home was not insured that becomes the responsibility of the owner and this is work that can come at a high cost.  It is certain that the debris will contain asbestos and various rules and regulations will come into force over its disposal.  A lot of individual councils will be involved and it would be helpful if common landfill arrangements were put in place to safely dispose of this waste at minimum cost.

It is dispiriting to hear the management of those donated funds claiming that it will be years before the last of that money reaches the people in need.  It is all too easy for a bureaucracy to emerge that so slows the distribution of aid that applicants encounter a thicket of rules and regulations - and their interpretation - that not only defies logic but requires the courts to make the final decisions.

The donors of that money did so in the expectation that fire victims would get quick help in making a recovery, and the needs of individuals will be wide and varied.  Just getting clothes and household goods will be the first need of many.   Finding alternative accommodation will be high on the list for others and in some cases that will entail buying a caravan and returning to the block of land they own.

It would be unfortunate if rules and regulations imposed to safeguard the money simply prevented the innovative from accessing help.   The loss of a home is an absolute disaster for most families and a little money at the right time can help them find solutions that suit their individual needs.   That was the thought in mind by the people who donated the money.

The law will crack down hard on obvious scammers, but this is a time to be innovative and listen attentively to where assistance can relieve distress.  It is often the case where a little money at the right time can go a very long way !