Over 2,000 SES volunteers across Western Australia play a vital role in keeping the community safe during natural disasters and emergencies.
These highly skilled volunteers conduct emergency repairs to buildings damaged by cyclones, storms and floods, ferry cargo and passengers across floodwaters, conduct land searches, aerial and cave rescues, attend road crashes and much more.
We encourage everyone to wear orange on 11 May 2016 to celebrate and show their support of the hard work and dedication of SES volunteers throughout Australia.
EVENTS on May 11
Simulated search and rescue operation
In support of WOW Day, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) will be hosting a simulated search and rescue operation involving the mounted section, all-terrain utilities (ATUs) and a tyrolean (zipline) rescue on the beautiful grounds of Murdoch University. The event aims to showcase the vast skills and expertise of SES volunteers who are on-call around the clock to respond to incidents.
Going ORANGE for WOW Day
A number of iconic attractions across Perth and throughout the state will be lit in a magnificent orange in a widespread display of support, including the Bell Tower, Elizabeth Quay, Perth Concert Hall and Council House.
In preparation of the upcoming Storm Season we have our Storm Damage operations course running this April. This is an opportunity for our volunteers to up skill in techniques that are used to make temporary emergency repairs to buildings. Good luck to everyone attending and have a fun and safe weekend.
FES Commissioner Gregson is very supportive of Wear Orange Wednesday and below is the text of a letter from him. WOW DAY – 11 MAY 2016 Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) is an opportunity for the community to recognise the hard work and dedication of State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers throughout Australia. From this year, WOW Day will be held Australia-wide in May to coincide with National Volunteer Week (11 to 17 May 2016). This offers a fantastic opportunity to increase awareness about the vital role of SES in the community and complement the annual WinterSafe campaign as we enter into the high risk storm season. In support of WOW Day, DFES will be hosting a simulated search involving canines, the mounted section, all-terrain utilities (ATUs) and a tyrolean (zipline) rescue on the beautiful grounds of Murdoch University. Media will be invited to watch and participate in this exercise, which will showcase the vast skills and competencies used by SES volunteers through a real-time search and rescue operation. In a display of appreciation for SES volunteers, iconic locations around the State, including Elizabeth Quay, will be lit up in a brilliant orange.
You are invited to spread the word about WOW day to your family, friends and colleagues, and ask them to show their support by wearing orange on 11 May.
Above all, please enjoy the day. You make an incredible contribution to helping keep Western Australian communities stay safe and this is worthy of recognition and celebration.
Signed WAYNE GREGSON APM COMMISSIONER
SESVA President Gordon Hall says it’s time to nominate your volunteers for this year “SES Awards” as nominations are Now Open and it’s time to act. Gordon said as “we know SES volunteers play an integral part in the safety of our communities and these awards help recognise outstanding SES volunteers, either individually or as a team, who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them”.
I encourage Units to nominate their SES volunteers for these prestigious Awards.
The awards are in the following categories:
Peter Keillor Award – Recognising a volunteer who has gone beyond the call of duty in demonstrating a high level of commitment to the SES.
Team Achievement Award – Recognising a unit or team that has initiated a new idea, worked collectively to achieve outstanding results in a particular area, or undertaken a community awareness project
Youth Achievement Award – Recognising a volunteer 25 years or younger who has made an outstanding contribution to the SES.
All nominees must be active, operational members of their SES unit.
We successfully completed our information night with 14 people in attendance. We hope to see you at the induction weekend!!!
The induction weekend was successfully completed with all in attendance having a fantastic weekend. We look forward to working with our new recruits and getting you to some callouts.
