Our area was rocked by numerous fires these past two weeks, with Pappinbarra Valley the most seriously affected.

Many people have stepped up to assist, but there is still a great need for urgent assistance for much-needed fencing, fodder and farm gear. If you would like to help rebuild Pappinbarra, a GoFundMe donation page has been set up at www.chuffed.org/project/rebuild-pappinbarra-farms#

Alternatively email pappinbarra.unites@gmail.com or call in to the Wauchope Gazette for details on how to assist.

Please also remember our Angels in Orange – the Rural Fire Service. The Pappinbarra fires were just one of many dire emergencies attended by the RFS over the past few weeks, and as I write our volunteers are still dealing with outbreak to our south.

The recent events were extreme, with many stories emerging of unsung individual heroism for which we should be grateful, whether personally affected or not.

The RFS is a volunteer service, vital to community safety and deserves your support – whether to join as a member or making a donation.

In either case, your first port of call locally will be Wauchope Rural Fire District, 108 Cameron Street, or call 6588 9000.

You can give to the District Captain’s Fund or contribute to your local brigade. The call is out right now for new RFS volunteers, so please consider becoming a member.

As one member put it, being with the Rural Fire Service offers “a lifetime of education and leadership development. You will learn your personal limits and how to stretch them”.

The recent fires should be a reminder to all that we must prepare now for unforeseen emergency. As a household, do take the time to sit down and make a plan together, so everybody knows what to do, and if necessary what to take and where to go in case of sudden disaster.

These are Cr Intemann’s opinions and not necessarily council’s.