SAVEM at the Cherry Gardens fire

SAVEM (South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management) Report for Cherry Chatter

Over the last decade, Cherry Gardens residents may have seen white vehicles marked with reflective green and gold checkerband and logos travelling through the area. These are the SA Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM Inc) 4WD’s and teams deploying to fire grounds. We rarely appear in the pages of Cherry Chatter - even though our Command Centre is based in Cherry Gardens – because we operate State-wide. SAVEM is a 100% volunteer organisation with no paid staff.

We are not an “animal rescue” organisation - we are a State level Emergency Service with a remit for all-species (wildlife and domestic) animal welfare in all hazards incidents, which in South Australia is most commonly bushfire. Our name says it all – we are Emergency Management trained veterinarians and vet nurses. SAVEM is a formal part of the State Emergency Management Plan (the SEMP). We are a Tier 2 responder Activated onto fireground as soon as is safe to do so - usually within 48 hours of the start of a “going” fire - and with the permission of the Control Agency (the CFS for bushfire). As well, our work enables the CFS to concentrate on its core business of firefighting, leaving animal matters to veterinary professionals. 

Tier 1 Responders – such as CFS, MFS, SES and SAPOL  - progressively stand down after fires are contained and then safe. In contrast, SAVEM increases its teams inside the fire ground in the weeks following the fire. This is because many injured and burned wildlife often seek refuge in the days immediately following a fire front, and emerge from hiding, in need of food and water, from about day three or four. Injured wildlife can survive after fire for up to 12 weeks, and a professional veterinary presence on fireground to assess and treat animals is essential throughout that time. 

The Cherry Gardens fire was for us very local. We were active in fire ground from 25 January continuously until 29 February. We cycled a roster of 36 volunteers throughout that time. As always, we thank agencies helpful in our deployment – including the CFS, SAPOL and Cleland Wildlife Park. SA Water was outstanding in its support and assistance to SAVEM regarding access and mapping. Staff from Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie’s office assisted us greatly in negotiating some other hurdles. Flinders University GIS mapping, SA Power Networks and DEW each contributed. PIRSA provided us with GRN radios to improve communications.

Be assured that when an emergency incident occurs requiring a veterinary presence, the legislated, established emergency provisions and processes integral to the South Australian State Emergency Management Plan swing rapidly in to action, and do cover the full range of issues that arise. SAVEM is frequently invited to speak to community groups, service clubs, schools and CFS brigades as part of our outreach and public information program. To book a talk from a SAVEM volunteer please visit our website: www.savem.org.au to send an enquiry, or phone 0477 055 233. 

The accompanying photograph show the field team resources at SAVEM Command ready for deployment, and in field at the Cherry Gardens fire.

Dr. Rachel Westcott
SAVEM Coordinator
SAVEM Commander, Cherry Gardens fire

PO Box 1 Bridgewater SA 5155     
savem.org.au  
M 0477 055 233  
E info@savem.org.au
ABN 39 893 211 010