Summary of Key Agenda Items
Member reports
• Expressions of interest are being sought for Management Committee vacancies from SES member units in the Kimberley region and the Goldfields-Midlands regions.
• Stirling SES unit are relocating to new premises. The SESVA was instrumental in securing government funding for Stirling’s new premises.
Legislation Working Group
• The paper setting out the SESVA-WA’s position on behalf of the SES units on community empowerment and the future of SES in WA will be provided for approval by the Management Committee ready for distribution before end of February. The paper provides further explanation of the recommendations published in the SESVA Position Paper in May 2024 and proposes a separate command structure that was developed in consultation with WA SES units and DFES.
Media and PR Strategy sub committee
• At the sub-committee meeting held 16 January 2025 the volunteers focused on strategies related to social media policy/procedures, internal communications, stakeholder engagement, media liaison, the production of an SESVA style guide and review of SESVA branding.
Succession Planning
• President Greg Cook discussed succession planning strategies with Management Committee members and the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with SES units to secure interest from volunteers to fill future Management Committee vacancies.
Discussion Paper—Bushfire Training for SES/VMR
• 40 SES units responded to the SESVA questionnaire on this topic with every unit agreeing to moving to the Bushfire Fundamentals course. A few units said no to the currency drill. A few units also indicated that they don’t provide Bushfire Safety Awareness currency training but indicated support for the Bushfire Fundamentals course.
Discussion Paper— SES Training
• The SES Training Discussion Paper was approved by the SESVA Management Committee for distribution to SES Unit managers for their consideration and support. It is intended that the recommendations be used to gain and maintain national recognition of SES qualifications for volunteers. A questionnaire will be provided for Local Managers to provide feedback in early March.
