GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - After the recent fires in the Garden Route, it became apparent that George and surrounding areas need a structural plan to help the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) during local disasters and emergencies. The newly established George Alert Team (Gat) intends to fill that gap.
"After numerous discussions with GRDM manager of Disaster Management, Gerhard Otto; operational rescue manager of the Western Cape, Neville van Rensburg; and service organisations in George, Gat was established and the initiative was launched on Wednesday 13 November," said Gat operational manager, Pieter Nel.
The George Alert Team aims to serve as a logistics component of GRDM to look after the collection and distribution points for needed items during an emergency situation.
"Gat will be activated by GRDM when needed. All partners will gather at a central point, where all aspects of the disaster or emergency will be controlled. The team will also be handling any evacuations and look after victims in accordance with the Red Cross and UN Humanitarian Act. In a scenario where not a lot of people are affected, the team can also be deployed," says Nel. According to Nel they will also assist by handling any media reports relating to incidents.
"This will be done through the right channels and only media reports from accredited liaisons will be released. We want to prevent any duplication of collection points and not burden the community with false or untrue information. We will also have a register of received and distributed goods."
George Lions Alert Team, Eden Lions Alert Team, Georgiete Staan Saam, Love George, Rotary, Garden Route Ladies Circle, Round Table, Vryburgers, AfriForum, Moths, ESS Medical Services, Super Kitchens, Solidariteit Helpende Hand as well as some members of the community are already involved with Gat.
Anyone else who wants to be part of the George Alert Team is welcome to contact Pieter Nel on 078 874 6927.
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