Federated Farmers is now in charge of Christchurch’s valiant volunteer clean-up force.
At a meeting between Federated Farmers and Christchurch council officials on Thursday morning, it was decided that the Feds will now head up the city’s entire volunteer support network.
A series of large aftershocks struck the city on Monday afternoon, causing widespread damage to property, and flooding streets with liquefaction.
Federated Farmer’s earthquake spokesperson, John Hartnell, now has the responsibility for co-ordinating all volunteer effort, and says the organisation’s experience with the hugely successful “farmy army”, means they have the knowhow to run things.
“I guess we know what we’re doing now, which is good – the first time we were pretty much doing it while we were running.
“This time we’re a lot more organised, and will have a full map system ready to go, so they can just be rolled out into the specific areas very quickly.”
John Hartnell says they are co-ordinating with other volunteer organisations to get quickly up to speed on the situation. Members of the Student Volunteer Army will join the effort as they finish exams.
“The important message to get out there now is it’s not just farmers, it’s everybody.
“For instance, we’ve just had a message from the grape grower in Marlbrough, they’re bringing a team down, we are just going to be the pivot point for it all.”
Federated Farmers is asking for help in manpower and also with equipment.
The call has gone out for anyone with trailers, wheelbarrows, shovels or heavy machinery like diggers or loaders, who are able to donate their expertise, to contact them on 0800 327 646.
Registration for volunteers is open between 7am and 12 noon, from Saturday the 18th to Friday the 24th of June at the A + P Showgrounds in Curletts Road.
