Farmy Army joint operation starts Saturday

Federated Farmers met with the Christchurch City Council, Fulton Hogan, City Care and the Student Volunteer Army (SVA) today, in order to coordinate silt removal from private properties and schools. Christchurch City Council is asking for as many residents as possible to join the recovery effort, which all starts this Saturday, 18 June, from 7am at the A+P Showgrounds. It will run through to and include Friday, 24 June.

Media are asked to assist us by promoting this message as widely as possible.

Where to go as a volunteer and what will happen

Where to go
The rendezvous point for all volunteers is being managed by Federated Farmers at the Canterbury Park Showground's operations centre (Curletts Road, Christchurch). This is being run with the SVA's IT team, who will coordinate the collection and disbursement of information received from property owners throughout the city.

Weather will not affect operations
As river stop banks have been compromised in parts of the city, in the event of heavy rainfall with high tide, teams will be redeployed to sand bagging duties as a priority in areas now susceptible to flooding.

Organisational details
Federated Farmers' Carly and Shona Sluys will head the mapping and distribution team, with support from Fulton Hogan and City Care. Affected areas will be broken down into zones and sub-zones, with teams allocated accordingly.

Each group of approximately 20 people, will be led by a team leader who will be responsible for the activities of that team and recording all activities as each street is cleared. This information will be fed into the management programme at the end of the day. Zone Leaders will be responsible for ensuring this is actioned and for liaising with Fulton Hogan or City Care as streets are cleared and signed off. It is vital that they remove the silt as soon as possible.

Nicky Geddes, Helen Heddell and Cathie Stephens will head the catering team, this will be based as per the last earthquake time at the BaaBar Shed with Rural Women New Zealand, Federated Farmers and other volunteers supporting the kitchen operation on an as needed basis, food donations will be gratefully received. Distribution, as required, will be undertaken by members of the Federated Farmers North Canterbury provincial team lead by Neil Stott.

Key information for all volunteers

Citizen volunteers
There has been an open call issued by Mayor Bob Parker, for Christchurch's residents to join the Farmy Army and SVA. It is important that citizen volunteers bring their own packed lunch, bottled water, gloves and appropriate footwear, like gumboots. A shovel and wheelbarrow won't go astray either.

Out of town volunteer accommodation
Federated Farmers is currently looking to house out of town volunteers at the A+P Showground's in the campervan city. Showers and laundry facilities are already in place and this is the logical option and 25 campervans have been made available in the first instance.

Personal hygiene vital
All silt must be treated as contaminated and accordingly, all volunteers must wash hands thoroughly before consuming food at all times.

Legal notes

Removing silt from private property
The Farmy Army, SVA and volunteers will not be operating under a civil defence emergency as was the case last time. This means private property must be respected and should only be entered if permission is granted or a neighbour is present and agrees to the activity.

Silt will not be removed from RED Stickered properties unless instructed by Christchurch City Council.

Silt is to be deposited onto the road edge and not in the gutter or on the grass verge. To allow for rain water dispersion rainwater traps must remain clear.

Bringing machinery

Diggers, loaders and trailers to a maximum weight of 3 tonne
Storage and fuel will be available closer to the eastern suburbs at Owles Terrace (this is a secure yard). On the first day you arrive, please come to the A+P Showground's first so that we can register both you and the equipment you bring.

Wheelbarrows and shovels
These are our primary work tools, please bring these with you if you can.

Personal needs

Apparel and footwear
We are now operating in winter conditions so please bring warm clothing and wet weather footwear etc. Changes of clothing are highly recommended.

Showers
As well as the facilities at the Campervan Village, there will be hot showers at the A+P Showgrounds.

Catering
The Farmy Army kitchen will be operating throughout the silt removal period providing breakfast (for out of town volunteers), lunches (as required) and evening meals. You must let our team know what meals you will require.

Helping out the Farmy Army

Food donations welcome
Home baking may be dropped of at the A+P Showground's, or at PGG Wrightson on Blenheim Road or GVI Landlines, Amberley.

Donations will assist this important work
This is now the third major earthquake in nine-months, following the September Darfield earthquake, the February earthquake and now Monday's earthquakes. If you are unable to join us, but wish to support the people of Christchurch, a donation to Federated Farmers Adverse Events Trust tagged for the Farmy Army.

The Adverse Events Trust is a registered charitable entity (No CC46245), administered by Federated Farmers. To donate, please deposit money into the Adverse Events Trust bank account 06 0594 0028181 00 (National Bank Hamilton), with "Farmy Army" as a reference.

If you require a receipt for tax purposes, please call 0800 327 646 beforehand.

Any money would be gratefully received as it is a major exercise to feed and water a large group of volunteers and support staff, as well as providing safety equipment, fuel for the machinery and numerous sundry expenses.

Make us proud

This is all about people helping people, join us this weekend and over the days to follow, your support will be greatly appreciated and your generosity never forgotten.

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