Making friends in your local SES
If you’re looking to get involved in your community and help make a difference, the State Emergency Services could be a worthwhile place to look. Here’s what you need to know.
Feeling a little adventurous? Interested in making a difference to someone’s life? Whether you’re looking to meet new people, make a difference in your community or get out of the house, volunteering is not only rewarding for the people you help but for you too. It keeps you socially engaged, active and learning new skills, which is great for your mental and physical wellbeing.
The State Emergency Services (SES) is an emergency and rescue service dedicated to helping the community. Each state has its own SES, which is made up almost entirely of volunteers. With their distinctive orange coveralls, volunteers help with a range of emergency services, such as bush search and rescue, and assist full-time emergency services during major disasters.
One person who is familiar with the orange coveralls is Bernie McNamara, who has been with the SES for over 40 years in a number of capacities and who is proof you’re never too old to get involved – he’ll be 80 next month. Living in a small country town where most residents were involved in some community activity, it inspired Bernie to get involved too and join the SES.
“I was a volunteer for 15 years and the first volunteer in WA appointed to permanent staff,” Bernie explains. “I retired in 2002 and then resumed as a volunteer. Obviously I don’t get out and climb on roofs or go on long bush searches, but I assist in an operational role. I know that there are many other volunteers in WA who are over 60 and still play an active role in the SES.”
Initially, he participated in most of the physical activities some SES volunteers do but now he helps in an operational capacity, which he says involves a fair amount of paperwork.
Derek Fletcher, 71, is another WA resident who has long been associated with the state’s emergency services. Prior to joining the Kalamunda SES in 1991, he had been involved with volunteer fire and rescue and bush fire services.
In his role as the local manager of the Kalamunda SES, he led a unit of 60 plus members, overseeing member training, operational matters and unit finances, among other duties. He is currently section leader operations for the unit and manages four teams: operations, communications, administration and catering.
SES volunteers are drawn from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages and professions. What all of these people share, however, is a common desire to give back to their community and make a difference where they can. Not only can volunteers feel great about helping their community, but they’ll meet likeminded people and learn a range of new skills.
Every volunteer who joins the SES receives initial basic training, which includes first aid, map reading and navigation, land search techniques, storm damage repair techniques, radio communications and leadership. Handy skills that can be applied to all aspects of life.
Bernie says he first joined the SES for fellowship with other members and to encourage that feeling of helping the community when assistance is needed. He meets with the other SES volunteers on a weekly basis and on other occasions as required. Would he recommend others get involved? “Certainly, I would encourage others to join, particularly those who are physically active,” he says. “Because as well as helping others less fortunate than yourself, you enjoy good fellowship with other members.”
Like Bernie, Derek enjoys the social aspect of being involved in the SES, with friendships formed within the unit and with other members throughout the state. He encourages anyone who wants to be a part of their community to look into joining the organisation.
“I would encourage anyone over 60 to investigate what their local SES can offer them and then decide what they can offer the SES,” he says. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer with the SES, visit www.ses.org.au and it will redirect you to your state’s SES division.
Picture: WA SES volunteer Derek Fletcher, who says he enjoys the social aspect of being involved in the emergency services.