It has been a busy spring for the Geelong SES unit as wild weather has battered the state, and now it’s looking to grow its numbers.
Across the south-west region, SES volunteers responded to 575 requests for assistance between October 29 and November 4, with around 320 in the Greater Geelong and Bellarine area.
During this time, Geelong SES unit volunteers were kept occupied, assisting neighbouring units as well as responding to requests locally.
A small but expanding unit, the Geelong unit is looking for more members who can respond during business hours to assist during reoccurring weather events, especially those with previous leadership experience.
The unit’s volunteers respond to flood, storm, tsunami, earthquake and landslide events, as well as support other agencies such as Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria.
Volunteers from the unit are trained to operate and deploy a range of resources designed to help with emergency response, including water-based rescue, a lighting trailer, and Environmental Protection Agency air monitoring devices.
For the unit to continue operate and support the local community as the control agency for storms and floods, it needed community-minded people who wanted to contribute their time and skills.
Geelong SES unit controller Rachel Vella said there were many benefits to becoming a volunteer.
“At VICSES, we have members from all different backgrounds that come together and soon become part of your orange family,” she said.
“I have learnt so many things and met wonderful people both in the community, and within VICSES. We have a broad range of roles from responding to jobs in the field to other roles such as engaging with the community on flood and storm preparedness.
“We are particularly looking for people who may be interested in leadership roles, training coordination or even people with skills in equipment maintenance as well as members who want to respond to requests for assistance from the community.”
To learn more about joining the SES, the Geelong unit will host an information evening on Tuesday, November 30 at 7pm.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendees must register by emailing geelong@ses.vic.gov.au.
