SESVA Presidents report February 2021
Welcome to 2021 and we are told it’s now a High Threat Season in the West.
From the Association, all of us extend a “Hi to you” and welcome back. For our newer unit members, welcome to the orange army and family.
Again, I am proud of the extraordinary response from SES members to support our respective and neighbouring communities in times of emergency. There are so many people who have trust in our willingness and capability to pitch in and help. The dedication shown to the commitment of hours of training, and the skills that we have as emergency responders, and the SES members willingness to put all that aside to load drinks, groceries, and even empty rubbish bins to help the keep the wheels turning is unbelievable.
I bet that not many SES volunteers thought they would be tasked to do those duties. It is indeed a bigger picture at times.
So, from fire to cyclone, the pointy end of the SES training and skill sets, and it was great to hear from the Newman SES Unit Manager, Connie, as the team were returning from Nullagine. What is so special about the SES is no, they were not responding to a call for help at Nullagine, but doing the much needed preparatory work and networking that is so necessary to prepare for the possible cyclone threat that is actually happening at the time I write this.
Who thinks ahead and knows their local communities better that the community’s local volunteers? Understanding the risk at local level in Nullagine would see a small community that with tropical rain could become isolated and divided by the Cook and Nullagine Rivers.
Yes, the one small town is divided riverine flooding. Communication is sometimes lost through damage to Telstra infrastructure, power and water can also be lost quickly, but the Newman SES is aware of this and took the long drive to do the preparation with community members.
That is local SES Volunteer motivation and commitment. We haven’t got to the response stage yet? Lets see what that cyclone will bring. I sincerely hope that local communities do not lose that self-direction and local knowledge in the future.
A community asset is its people, don’t hand that away to others. This year will present many activities for your Association, including addressing the elephant in the room, new emergency services legislation. I would love to provide you with what is proposed but the Department has not shared that with the Volunteers.
So, we will be working with the Unit Managers and members to draft the options for what we all feel the SES should look like in the future. Please watch for the Association Committee members contacting your units to engage in that very conversation, and then again we will widely advocate on your behalf, the informed outcomes you advise us.
SES Volunteers are capable of directing their collective futures and focusing the energy required to do so. Have belief in your powerful voice.
One activity that has drawn on the pride and true history of our orange army has been launched recently at the DFES heritage centre in Perth.
Past SES Volunteers Association President, Gordon Hall ESM, has dedicated a considerable part of his time to collate and write a history of the WA State Emergency Service. The history of the WA SES from Civil Defence beginnings to the 21st Century.
Units will be receiving some copies and I feel certain that those amongst us that really don’t know the history and pride we bring into our communities, could reflect on a fine pedigree.
It also clearly demonstrates the military style organisation we have been trying to maintain within reason for many years. It works, and you need a very valid reason to change a winning formula. Why would you?
I hope and trust that 2021 will bring the success we all are looking for through an enjoyable volunteering experience in the SES. We should all enjoy the benefits of staying in touch with each other, as isolation brings a little weakness, when a little conversation with SES colleagues can bring such satisfaction. We do have so much in common.
Plan and practice staying safe. Empowering laws are coming to help us.
