DCO quick to help

Homes in and around the ACT were still burning when the Canberra branch of the Defence Community Organisation went into action on January 18.

Four civilian members of the unit and four Military Liaison Officers left their own homes, some still under threat, and headed for the four civilian evacuation centres set up in the bush capital.

Their appearance – the civilians clearly identified by their DCO tabbards, the MLOs in their uniforms – were welcomed by the centre organisers.

“We soon found ourselves registering people,” Acting Regional Director for the DCO Sue Pittman said.

“We looked after many people, most of them civilian folk. We had to make sure that if police found homes destroyed we could say that the occupants were registered as being evacuated and were safe.”

As the night wore on the DCO personnel realised that Defence employees were among those to lose their homes.

“Three homes occupied by RAAF members were destroyed, two Navy homes and one Army home,” Ms Pittman said.

“Three of the homes were owned by the people, two were RA (rental accommodation) and one was a Defence Housing Authority home.”

Some DCO staff members worked 12 hour shifts. A support officer came from Adelaide to boost numbers.

Ms Pittman said the effects of the fires would be felt for the next 12 months.

“That’s why we want people who feel they need help to come to us,” she said.

 

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