Hello again to you all
As we approach the 2026/2027 high-threat period, it is important that we prepare not only for the operational demands ahead, but also for the protection, health and wellbeing of every WA SES volunteer.
Our work places us in challenging and sometimes hazardous environments. Flooding, storm damage, extreme weather, heat, unstable structures, fallen trees, difficult access and long operational periods can all place significant demands on our people. Unit member protection must therefore remain central to our preparation.
Being ready means maintaining the skills and knowledge required to work safely in emergency environments. This includes understanding operational procedures, using personal protective equipment correctly, identifying hazards, communicating effectively, working within our capability and knowing when to stop, withdraw or seek additional support. No task is more important than the safety of the people undertaking it.
Preparation must also include our physical and physiological readiness. High-threat operations can involve extended periods of physical effort, disrupted sleep, exposure to heat and weather, heavy lifting, awkward movements and limited access to food, water or rest. Volunteers should consider how they will maintain their health and energy during these conditions.
Practical preparation may include:
- building and maintaining an appropriate level of fitness;
- getting adequate sleep before periods of heightened activity;
- maintaining hydration and carrying suitable water supplies;
- eating regularly and choosing food that supports sustained energy;
- preparing for heat exposure and other environmental conditions;
- checking medications, medical needs and personal equipment;
- understanding the signs of heat stress, fatigue, dehydration and physical overexertion;
- using safe manual-handling techniques; and
- taking scheduled breaks and reporting concerns early.
Looking after ourselves is not a sign of weakness or a lack of commitment. It is an essential part of being operationally effective.
A fatigued, dehydrated or injured volunteer is at greater risk and may also create additional risk for their team. We must be prepared to speak up when we are not fit for a task, and we must support our colleagues when they do the same.
Preparation should also include our mental and emotional wellbeing. Emergency work can expose volunteers to distressing situations, uncertainty and pressure. Staying connected with our team, checking in with one another, participating in briefings and debriefings, and seeking support when needed are all important protective measures. Early support is always preferable to waiting until concerns become overwhelming.
Importantly, our preparation must include our families and loved ones. They should not be left out of the process. Families need to understand that deployments may involve long hours, limited communication, changing rosters and possible exposure to difficult conditions. Discussing these realities in advance can help everyone feel more informed and supported.
Simple steps can make a difference: talk about likely commitments, agree on communication arrangements, identify who can assist with household responsibilities and make sure loved ones know where support can be found if an operation affects normal routines. Our families are part of the broader support network that enables volunteers to serve their communities.
The coming high-threat period will require professionalism, teamwork and resilience. Let us make unit member protection a shared responsibility from training and equipment checks, through to deployment, recovery and return home.
Every volunteer should return from an operation as safely and as well as possible. By preparing our skills, our bodies, our minds and our families, we strengthen not only individual volunteers, but the whole WA SES network.
Stay prepared. Stay connected. Look after yourself—and look after each other.
Greg Cook ESM
President, WA SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated