The State Emergency Service used an open night in Weipa on 24 September to call for extra volunteers both in the township and across Cape York as the 2024 wet season approaches. Photo: Supplied.
As the 2024 wet season approaches, the State Emergency Service (SES) is calling for volunteers to help boost crew numbers across Cape York.
The SES held an open night in Weipa on 24 September to showcase what the organisation did in the communities it served, and while the event resulted in several new recruits willing to don the orange overalls, Far Northern Region area controller Eleanor Rosam said more people were needed.
“We did see a few interested people come through and we signed up some new recruits,” she told Cape York Weekly.
“The numbers in the Weipa SES are currently low and across the rest of the Cape groups; we are actively encouraging anyone who is interested to lodge their expression of interest in joining on the SES website.”
Ms Rosam said volunteers would play a pivotal role during disasters and emergencies, adding joining a crew afforded people a whole new range of skills in addition to the feeling of satisfaction derived from serving their community.
“We respond to all storm-related emergencies, which can be sandbagging a property to protect it from water, making temporary repairs to someone’s roof, evacuating people in danger of flooding and flood boat operations; in addition, we support all other agencies when required, which includes assisting police searching for missing people, or assisting ambulance rescuing casualties requiring extraction in difficult circumstances.
“SES members can feel good knowing their work in difficult times has a huge effect within the community and working as part of a close team can really help people connect with others in the community.”
A five-day recruit course will be held in Weipa before the end of the year, and will be mandatory for those wanting to undertake advanced training as their SES career develops.
“All training and equipment is provided for by the SES,” Ms Rosam said.
“The dates for the Weipa course will be confirmed towards the end of the year; this training will cover all basic subjects and will be the prerequisite for all higher risk courses.
“This is an excellent opportunity for interested community members to join now to receive training quickly.”
Anyone interested in what the SES does or signing up as a recruit can visit the SES website.
Original Article published by Lyndon Keane on Cape York Weekly.
