|
|
In 1955 after serious floods killed 50 people, the NSW State Government formed the State Emergency Service. The Government decided that there was a need for a locally based volunteer organisation which would be trained and equipped to lead the community when floods or other disasters occur. In 1989 there was a major review of the SES and it's current structure and role was defined.
The State Emergency Service, or SES as it is usually referred to, is a community based emergency and Rescue service. It is made up almost entirely of Volunteers. The State Emergency Service has approximately 230 units located throughout the state. The organisation is staffed by approximately 10,000 Volunteer members.
The SES is the combat agency for "Flood, Storm & Tempest". We do not fight fires that is the role of the Rural Fire Service for bush fire and the NSW Fire Brigade for Urban fires. We do however assist other services by doing things such as road closure, evacuations, transport of equipment and personnel during the fires so as to free up resources within other organisations.
The SES has developed flood plans for every community in NSW which has a river based flood problem. The NSW SES is the second largest provider of road crash rescue in the world - Victorian SES is the largest. While you may see SES doing searches for lost people we are under the control of the Police in these instances.
Every state has it's own State or Territory Emergency Service. In NSW the state is divided up into 18 regions with the greater Sydney area being covered by 3 regions. We are in Sydney Northern which covers the area from Sydney Harbour to Wyong and from Ryde to the Pacific Ocean. Our divisional Headquarters is located at Hornsby.
The State Government provides funds for the SES to purchase protective clothing, items of major equipment and grants to assist units to purchase vehicles. Councils are required to provide a reasonable accommodation for each unit.
It is the generosity and understanding of the SES' members and their employers in giving their time and the support from their families and the community that enables the State Emergency Service to continue assisting the local community.
 |
|
