Teamwork – SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

23/04/2025 – Volunteer Leadership Program

23/04/2025 No Comments

Applications are now open for the Volunteer Leadership Program, a dynamic, immersive two-day residential program run by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience (AIDR) for emergency sector volunteers with aspiration and aptitude to support their organisation’s leadership.

The program provides an introduction to leadership and management in a volunteering context, and is attended by a range of emergency services and not-for-profit volunteers who are involved in emergency response and recovery.

It is a personally challenging and richly rewarding experience aimed at providing you with the foundations for capability and confidence for leadership. In taking part, you will be part of a collaborative learning experience, participating alongside volunteer leaders from other emergency management focused agencies, and generating knowledge and sharing experience.

Submit your application before Tuesday 6 May 2025.

Log onto the DFES Volunteer Hub for more information about the course, application process and eligibility: https://www.volunteerhub.dfes.wa.gov.au/home/support/training-and-opportunities/volunteer-leadership-program
Need support with accessing the Volunteer Hub? Contact your Volunteer Management Support Officer in your DFES Region: https://www.volunteerhub.dfes.wa.gov.au/about-us/dfes-regional-office-locations

15/04/2025 – SESVA Newsletter Articles

15/04/2025 No Comments

We’re Looking for your SES Units Good News Stories

The SESVA newsletter wants to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our SES Units and Volunteers. The SESVA Newsletter has a wide circulation, including politicians, Local Government Councillors and CEOs, and various community organisations.

Send your articles and especially some great images to:

Sesva.office@ses-wa.asn.au

The deadline to submit your articles in the Winter 2025 Newsletter is Tuesday 20^th of May 2025

03/94/2025 – from the SESVA President April 2025

03/04/2025 No Comments

FROM THE SESVA PRESIDENT

Dear SES members,

As we reflect on the recent deployments to Queensland and the Pilbara (Port Hedland, Karratha and Marble Bar), I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for the exceptional efforts of our State Emergency Service (SES) volunteer members who were gratefully supported by DFES Workers.

Your leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to service have not only made a significant impact on our operations but have also inspired those around you.

The challenges faced during these deployments were met with resilience and professionalism, showcasing the true spirit of teamwork and collaboration. Your ability to navigate complex situations and provide guidance has been instrumental in ensuring the success of our mission in Queensland and the Pilbara.

Thank you for your hard work and for embodying the values we hold dear. Together, we are making a difference in our communities, and I am proud to stand alongside such a talented and dedicated group of individuals.

Following the WA State election on 8 March 25, we welcome a new Minister from the re-elected Labor government. A warm welcome to Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, Minister for Emergency Services; Corrective Services; Defence Industries; Veterans; Racing and Gaming.

We must not forget the fine works completed by Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, now the Minister for Regional Development; Ports; Science and Innovation; Medical Research; Kimberley. Thank you so much for being approachable and understanding during your time as our minister.

Kind Regards, Greg Cook,

President WA SESVA.

03/04/2025 – 2025 W-AFAC Conference – Nominate to attend

03/04/2025 No Comments

Get ready, because the 2025 W-AFAC Conference is coming and it’s shaping up to be an event you won’t want to miss!

The 2025 W-AFAC Conference is an incredible opportunity for volunteers around the State to be part of this three-day development program designed especially for volunteers.

From the evening of Tuesday, 26 August through to Friday, 29 August 2025 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, volunteers will be treated to a comprehensive conference program featuring:

Exhibition opening and welcome event (6pm to 8pm): Opening of the fire and emergency services exhibition hall with 200 exhibitors plus conference welcome and networking event.

AFAC Conference program: Two days of engaging presentations, workshops, panel discussions and access to the exhibition hall with daily live demonstrations on all things emergency services.

DFES Tours: Exclusive tours of DFES facilities, a behind-the-scenes opportunity to meet the teams behind the operations.

WAFES Awards gala dinner: An evening to celebrate the outstanding contributions of volunteers and fire and emergency services personnel across WA.

Volunteers can nominate to attend the conference through this link.

Nominations must be received by Friday 23 May.

Local Managers have been invited to nominate volunteers from their too, so you can also have a chat with your leader about being nominated to attend.

As with all good things, places are limited and those who have not had the opportunity to attend an AFAC or WAFES conference before will be given priority.

For further information visit the Volunteer Hub.

25/03/2025 – SESVA Management Committee – 6th February meeting

25/03/2025 No Comments

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.

SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated

“Together we can; Together we will”

SES Volunteer's Association of Western Australia Incorporated