SES on lookout for new recruits

A meeting is being held by the Coffs Harbour City SES unit on Monday night for those interested in joining.

Frank Redward

QUITE often the volunteers of the State Emergency Service (SES) crews are the unsung heroes when times are tough.

Be it putting a tarp over a roof to waterproof a home, attending car accidents, helping out in a flood as well as many other situations, people can always count on the SES being there.

Take Saturday afternoon's severe thunderstorm as a perfect example.

Trees falling on roads, rooves and power lines that needed to be cleared, rooves needing to be repaired. It was Coffs Harbour's SES units that many turned to for help.

What makes the SES members even more valuable is that their time given in the distinctive orange overalls is on a voluntary basis.

The Coffs Harbour City Unit who truly showed their worth on January during the tragic Pacific Hwy double fatality at Urunga is holding an information evening on Monday night.

The session is for people interested in volunteering and becoming members of the State Emergency Service.

The evening will start at 7pm at the Unit's headquarters at 29 Park Avenue.

Coffs Harbour unit controller Bill Roffey said that there's always a need to be on the lookout for new volunteers to join the unit.

"The unit has a natural attrition of members who leave the town for various reasons or whose family commitments change," Mr Roffey said.

"This is normal in any volunteer organisation but we need to recruit others to train up to replace these people."

During the evening a presentation on the history and responsibilities of the SES and its members will be delivered.

Topics will include a brief history, SES structure, core activities, support activities, volunteer pathways, rescue and operations training, code of conduct and SES member responsibilities.

Application for membership documents will be available at the end of the presentation for those interested in becoming members.

To finish off, there will be a sausage sizzle plus the opportunity to meet, mingle and chat with current members of the Unit. Rescue vehicles, boats and other equipment used by the unit will also be on display.

If you will be attending Monday night's session, for catering purposes please call the duty officer on 6648 7171 or call/SMS to 0418 261 409 with your name and contact details.

Coffs Harbour City Unit is looking forward to welcoming new volunteer members to its ranks.