Shire of Pakenham initial fire impact statement.

Includes bibliographical references

The Shire of Pakenham initial fire impact statement was compiled during the period 15th March, 1983, one month after the commencement of the recovery and restoration phase of the worst disaster in the municipality's history. Within two weeks after "Ash Wednesday" many of the fire victims were able to resume their lives in at least a partial state of functional normality, many of the immediate needs, such as accommodation, food and clothing had been met and the process of combatting the disaster had entered a new phase. The orientation of this statement is towards the broader needs of the community rather than the needs of particular individuals or families. Further, this statement does not analyse the organisational and management aspects of combatting the fires or providing relief during the immediate post impact period. This statement endeavours to describe the fire disaster and its impact on the affected communities in the municipality within the context of the pre-disaster characteristics of these communities, post disaster needs and the objectivies of the Shire of Pakenham in redeveloping physical, social and economic infrastructures while maintaining normal municipal services