Mackay SES to receive new equipment on WOW Day

Published Wednesday, 23 May, 2018 at 07:00 AM

Minister for Fire and Emergency Services
The Honourable Craig Crawford

State Emergency Services (SES) in Mackay will today receive new equipment on Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day, recognising more than 5500 SES volunteers across Queensland.

Fire and Emergency Services Minister Craig Crawford will present the Mackay Regional SES Unit with vital equipment including generators, fridges, lighting and chainsaws under the $200,000 Energising Queensland SES Equipment Program.

“This program is a great initiative, highlighting the practical support being provided to SES groups across the state,” Mr Crawford said.

“The almost $17,000 in equipment to be handed over to Mackay SES groups today, is the second of a $200,000 resource injection for the state, delivered by SES Supporting Partners, Energy Queensland and Powerlink.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the new equipment will help the local SES continue their work assisting communities impacted by emergencies and severe weather.

“The SES volunteers in Mackay have provided more than 13,000 hours of their own time in the past ten months,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Providing this type of valuable equipment to our hard-working SES groups means Mackay residents can feel confident their local SES groups are well-equipped to assist them during disasters and challenging emergency situations.

“The men and women of the SES are passionate about their local communities and devote their time and energy to Queenslanders, supporting them when times are tough.”

Energy Queensland CEO Mr David Smales said the Energex and Ergon crews always have nothing but praise for the SES volunteers they work with during emergency events.

“Our crews know they can depend on the SES to undertake jobs such as clearing debris from roads and properties along with other important tasks that help us get the power on faster,” Mr Smales said.

“With this in mind, we are proud to be able to provide mutual support in the form of new equipment to assist them with the great work they do in community recovery events,” he said.

Mr Crawford encouraged Queenslanders to also show their support for the state’s hard-working SES units by wearing orange today.

“WOW Day is a national day of recognition and appreciation for SES across Australia, and I encourage Queenslanders to get involved and show their support in this highly visible gesture,” Mr Crawford said.

“We have more than 5500 SES volunteers across the state, with more than 400,000 hours donated to Queensland communities since July last year.

“The SES are there for Queensland when severe weather hits and now it’s time for Queensland to get behind the SES,” he said.

During WOW Day, apart from wearing orange - take a picture and post on social media with #THANKYOUSES and #WOWDAY

ENDS

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