20 Sep Celebrating National SES Week 2023
State Emergency Services (SES) members are the unsung heroes of our community who are dedicated to ensuring our safety and wellbeing during times of crisis.
Their invaluable support extends beyond disaster management, as they are always on standby to collaborate seamlessly with police, ambulance and firefighters by offering critical reinforcements when extra resources are required. In the face of adversity, SES members embody resilience, courage and selflessness.
Brian Pitt, who is the Group Leader for the SES team based in Calliope would like to remind local residents of the importance of preparing for the summer storm season during National SES Week which runs from September 9th to the 17th.
“Queensland is one of the most disaster prone states in Australia and storms certainly account for a considerable amount of that damage,” said Brian.
“People can greatly reduce the risk to themselves and their families by simply clearing their properties of rubbish. It is also worthwhile to secure any loose objects around the yard such as outdoor furniture and wheelie bins which can become lethal weapons in strong winds,”
“I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the SES community for over thirty years. One of my most memorable experiences would be when my team and I assisted in locating a missing person and found them alive, safe and well,” said Brian.
“What I enjoy most about being a part of the SES is being able to help our community in times of need. I hope that our current SES members will take away a sense of achievement and belonging by joining with us and hope to see more friendly faces join us in the long term future!”
“We are always looking for volunteers as there is a shortage of volunteers across all our Gladstone groups. If you would like to make a difference in your community or simply would like to find out some more information, you can do so by contacting your local SES Group.” explained Brian.
The first step in preparing for storm disasters is to create a comprehensive emergency plan for you and your family.
This plan should include communication strategies, evacuation routes and a well-stocked emergency kit containing essentials such as:
- Non-perishable food
- Water
- First aid supplies
- Flashlights
- Batteries
By taking these precautions and fostering a culture of preparedness, we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones during storm disaster season.
