Rockingham-Kwinana SES volunteers are keeping busy during December. In addition to local bush fire support roles the unit has deployed volunteers to two different parts of the state for very different incidents. Four volunteers from the local unit were deployed to the Great Southern part of the state to assist with a search for a missing 79 year old hiker at Bluff Knoll, part of the Stirling Ranges, about 400km south east of Perth. The volunteers were deployed to the search to provide a rest opportunity for local volunteers who had already searched through tough terrain for a number of days. The Rockingham-Kwinana team drove to Albany on Thursday (16/12/10) and searched Friday to Sunday, returning home on Monday (20/12/10).
As these four volunteers returned home, two other Rockingham-Kwinana SES volunteers were deployed on Monday (20/12/10) to Carnarvon, 900km north of Perth, to assist with the emergency response to large flooding the area has experienced. Other volunteers are on standby in case extra personnel are required. The two deployments are very different in nature but local volunteers are keen to assist their fellow volunteers and the community in these situations.
Rockingham-Kwinana SES Unit Manager Mike Wadley said local volunteers are always ready to assist with emergencies anywhere in the state. “While we are kept busy with storm activity in our local area during the storm season, our volunteers are trained to respond to a wide range of hazards and can be called upon to assist with incidents anywhere in the state, any time of the year.” Mr Wadley said. The Rockingham-Kwinana SES thanks the families and employers of those volunteers deployed for these two incidents. “The families and employers of our volunteers play a vital role in them being able to respond to these incidents and we thank them for their ongoing support.” Mr Wadley added.
