NIGEL Morrison was holidaying at Franklin in January when he was called to help New Norfolk residents affected by bushfires.
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The Deloraine retiree is a trained Red Cross REDi support volunteer, taking inquiries and registrations at evacuation centres and providing emotional support in the wake of emergencies. Two days later after helping at the New Norfolk evacuation centre, Mr Morrison was called to do the same at Dunalley.
"It was just me and my wife at first, until we got reinforcements, and you've really got to be prepared to tackle things front-on, and do whatever is thrown at you," Mr Morrison said. "But it's very rewarding. You are absolutely making a contribution to getting people's feet moving in the direction of their future."
Mr Morrison said he also went to Victoria in 2010, to visit people who had been affected by the Black Saturday bushfires the year before.
"When a disaster happens, it's not all over in three weeks, the recovery process can take three years or more," Mr Morrison said. He said the Red Cross was looking for more volunteers willing to do two days' training and join the Northern Tasmanian REDi team.
To inquire, contact the Mowbray Red Cross office on 63260400.