BlazeAid is a volunteer-based organisation which assists disaster affected people to clear, repair or replace fences lost on their property as a result of natural disasters such as bushfires, floods or cyclones.

BlazeAid works with people who are in genuine need of volunteer assistance. This includes those who are not insured or are under-insured, or where the personal, physical or financial circumstances are such that they are struggling to get the job done on their own.
BlazeAid helps rebuild both internal and external fences to assist property owners in becoming productive again – let us know what your highest priority is.

When you register with BlazeAid, we’ll ask you for a few details of the damage sustained by the fire, flood or cyclone (for example, is the fence completely destroyed or can it be reinstated and stood up? Is there clearing to be done before fencing can start?), the type of terrain (eg hilly, flat, across a creek, etc), any access or safety issues, an approximate distance of the fencing to be done and the type of fencing.

To enable the smooth running of BlazeAid’s Fencing Program, we ask that you to agree to operate within the following Guidelines:

1. BlazeAid volunteers work via the guidance and direction of property owners. Where possible, you or your representative (eg a family member or a friend) are asked to work alongside the BlazeAid Volunteers while they are on your property, unless previously arranged with BlazeAid. We can make exceptions to this, if you need to run a farm (eg working on a header, dipping sheep, other animal welfare tasks, etc) and/or aren’t physically able to work directly on the fence rebuilding alongside volunteers. Please discuss this with the Camp Coordinator.
2. We ask you to have a working mobile phone with you at all times while dealing with BlazeAid. This is for both planning and safety reasons and you have the mobile phone numbers of the volunteers working with you. The volunteers will have each other’s phone numbers and your contact number also. In areas where there is no mobile phone coverage, UHF radios should be used.
3. In most cases, you will need to obtain your own fencing materials (including posts, wire, gates, staples, pins, clips, etc). Please contact BlazeAid if you would like some advice about what fencing materials you will need.
4. BlazeAid has tools and equipment for Volunteers to use while they are rebuilding fences. Please advise BlazeAid if any of our tools or equipment are left behind on your property when our volunteers leave.
5. Property owners are responsible for checking with ‘Dial Before You Dig’ that water pipes, gas pipes, electricity cables, fibre-optic cables, etc won’t be damaged when volunteers are fencing. In the event of any damage of this nature, you will be held solely responsible for such damage.
6. The safety and well-being of Volunteers and Proprietors is always of paramount importance. BlazeAid provides volunteers with Personal Accident Insurance under our insurance policy.
7. Please ensure that your property, machines and equipment are in safe working order for the protection of BlazeAid volunteers.
8. You are responsible for safety matters on your property while the Volunteers are present. At no stage is any volunteer to work alone.
9. Volunteers have safety issues explained to them each day by both the Camp Coordinator and their Team Leader. In the event that a Volunteer puts him/herself, other Volunteers or you at risk, you and the Team Leader should immediately contact the Camp Coordinator or Melissa Jones, BlazeAid CEO (0436 316 955) who will assess the situation and take appropriate action.
10. Volunteers who fail to wear their high visibility vest, goggles, gloves, earplugs and other relevant safety gear as required are in breach of Safety Procedures. If this occurs, please discuss it with the Team Leader, or contact the Camp Coordinator.
11. Drinking of alcohol or the use of recreational drugs before or during work is in breach of Safety Procedures and against BlazeAid policy. If a volunteer breaches this policy, please contact Melissa Jones (0436 316 955) immediately.
12. When you register, you’ll be given a proposed starting date and information asking you to contacting the Camp Coordinator the day before you are ready for volunteers to come out, to reconfirm the appointment. This date is subject to us having enough volunteers to work with you on the day.
13. Team Leaders will endeavour to phone you from 6.30am on the mornings we work with you. They will confirm directions to your property, find out what tools they need to bring, how many volunteers will be working with you, etc.
14. Please confirm with the Team Leader whether you need a team there again the next day, and if so, what work needs to be done – clearing, strainer posts, end assemblies, running wire and tying off, etc – so we can send the appropriate team and tools.
15. If volunteers have finished one section of work and won’t be needed for a few days or weeks, please phone the basecamp that afternoon to set another date with the Camp Coordinator. This date can be changed, if you need to. It is important that you contact us, so that we know how much more work is needed to be done from each basecamp.
    Volunteers have given up their time with families, friends, their jobs, etc, to work with BlazeAid. Please show your appreciation to Volunteers, through thanks, praise and encouragement. Volunteers will not accept money personally but donations may be made to BlazeAid, in which case a receipt will be issued from the office.

Thank you for inviting BlazeAid volunteers to work with you and your family.