From the SESVA President
Hi, and just a single statement: “Where is the year 2024 going?” Time is moving way too quickly with so much done and much more to achieve on behalf of the community SES Volunteers.
July starts a new financial year and opportunities for DFES and the Government to address the long tolerated SES shortfall in resources. We, as part of an emergency service organisation understand that funding is finite. We do not and have not had an open book to address needs since I first became involved with the SES in the mid 1990s.
DFES continues to invest in the SES, but I still regularly hear from many units that their facilities do not meet their needs, and that vehicles and vessels do not meet their needs, along with other resources that enable delivery of community-based emergency management services.
We will continue to work in collaboration with DFES and the Government to close the resource gaps and jointly assist community-based services to build resilience at the local level.
A great plan is not to have all your eggs in one basket to ensure that when an organisation is needed in many locations simultaneously, that it is nimble and prepared within each community to manage the prevention works, preparation of community members, responding to emergency needs and fulfilling a critical role during recovery actions. Community-led and managed groups that are well resourced are the strength of our unique Western Australia.
We openly acknowledge that there is a distinct difference between metropolitan community needs and those of our regional towns and cities. The expectation is that a single Department with limited human resources cannot be everywhere, hence the need for great local capabilities and capacity.
We move forward in the mode of collaboration. Kind Regards,
Greg Cook
President
