Our mission

Our Mission at the Jude O’Brien Fund is threefold:

1. To provide immediate help to victims of domestic fire by supplying help with necessities and information including but not limited to:

Transport
Accommodation
Hygiene products
Clothes including gift cards from retailers
Information on accomodation and possible complimentary services
Information on counselling services
Forms for renewal of essential documents
Informing schools and delivering uniforms ect.
Information on pet care and boarding

All transportation and accommodation as well as all help bags should be pre arranged and be ready for immediate delivery to any affected victim. Close communication with Fire & Rescue in delivering information for this, as well as, any benefactor receiving and recognising appropriate incident numbers supplied by fire and rescue is vital to have the desired result.

We believe that this will be a vital step in recovery from fire related incidents invading homes as it establishes a sense of independence, if needed, and fast tracks victims to get their lives back to a normal so sorely needed.

2. To investigate and find the potential of a public space of the site of the former residence of Bianka and Jude that remains undeveloped to this day.

Discuss options available about the possibility of making the area a public space with council and respective parties involved.

Raise awareness about the possible attempts to use of the area with the community.

3.To lobby government for a day of recognition for the victims of domestic fires and Fire & Rescue service men and women who have died trying to fight them.

References and Recommendations

“Fire can have an immediate and tragic consequence, and being able to provide immediate help for victims makes a real and considerable difference. The Jude O’Brien Fund reaches out to people in their most desperate time of need to give practical help and hope.”
Roger Mentha, Assistant Commissioner, N.S.W. Fire & Rescue.
“Losing your home to fire is different for everyone. After the initial shock, it is vital those affected start to take back control of their lives and they can only do this through access to information and resources. This is an immediate need that others may not understand unless you have been in similar situations. It is also a vital step forward in the healing process.”
Dave Owens, APM, retired State Emergency Operations Controller.
“Having your home destroyed by fire is a life changing event which can take a long time to recover from. Those first few hours can be daunting to the fact that you have lost everything. The Jude O’Brien Initiative will assist those who have lost everything and are looking to help in those first few days. It will give people something to start over.”
Michael Forbes, Leading Station Officer, Fire Investigation and Research Unit, Fire and Rescue NSW

References and Recommendations

Together We Can.