Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 01:00 PM
Minister for Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
SES numbers swell in wake of flood response
Membership of the State Emergency Service (SES) at Gemfields has increased by five fold since floods devastated the central Queensland community earlier this year.
Visiting the Gemfields to open the new $1.4 million ambulance station, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the SES had welcomed more than 500 new volunteers this year.
“There is no doubt people from across Queensland have been inspired to join the SES after seeing the fantastic response to the devastating floods this year in communities such as Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Charleville and Gemfields,” Mr Roberts said.
“The membership of the Gemfields SES Unit has increased from four before the floods to 20 today.”
During his visit to the Gemfields, Mr Roberts presented local SES Group Leader Tess Batts with her 10 years’ Meritorious Service Medal.
“Tess joined the SES in 1995, originally as a member of the Emerald SES. She was a driving force behind the establishment of a dedicated SES unit at the Gemfields,” Mr Roberts said.
“I congratulate Tess and SES members across the State for their dedication and service on behalf of all Queenslanders.”
Mr Roberts said more than 540 people have joined SES crews across the State this year in one of the biggest boosts to SES membership in the Service’s 33-year history.
“2008 has been an extremely busy year for the SES with widespread and damaging flooding on top of its regular work searching for missing bushwalkers, assisting at road accidents, in searches and rescues or helping residents affected by severe weather,” he said.
“During the floods, I had the privilege to meet many of our SES volunteers and see their outstanding work firsthand. Their effort has been inspiring to many Queenslanders, so much so the SES has welcomed new members at a rate of almost three each day this year.”
It was estimated SES members will have contributed more than 75,000 hours in 2007-08, which is the equivalent of 8½ years’ work. Last year, there were 6430 SES members made up of 4574 active members and 1856 support members.
Mr Roberts said each new SES recruit is fitted out with more than $700 in personal protection equipment, including orange clothing, boots, hat, webbed utility belt and a Kevlar helmet for operational volunteers. New SES recruits also undertake comprehensive training and induction programs
“The Queensland Government is currently investing $24.5 million over five years to boost equipment and training for the SES. We have ramped up funding for SES in recent years in recognition of its important role and to cater for additional recruits,” he said.
29 July 2008
Media contact:
• Kirby Anderson (travelling with the Minister) 0418 197 350
• Brendan Connell 3247 8992
Visiting the Gemfields to open the new $1.4 million ambulance station, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts said the SES had welcomed more than 500 new volunteers this year.
“There is no doubt people from across Queensland have been inspired to join the SES after seeing the fantastic response to the devastating floods this year in communities such as Mackay, Emerald, Rockhampton, Charleville and Gemfields,” Mr Roberts said.
“The membership of the Gemfields SES Unit has increased from four before the floods to 20 today.”
During his visit to the Gemfields, Mr Roberts presented local SES Group Leader Tess Batts with her 10 years’ Meritorious Service Medal.
“Tess joined the SES in 1995, originally as a member of the Emerald SES. She was a driving force behind the establishment of a dedicated SES unit at the Gemfields,” Mr Roberts said.
“I congratulate Tess and SES members across the State for their dedication and service on behalf of all Queenslanders.”
Mr Roberts said more than 540 people have joined SES crews across the State this year in one of the biggest boosts to SES membership in the Service’s 33-year history.
“2008 has been an extremely busy year for the SES with widespread and damaging flooding on top of its regular work searching for missing bushwalkers, assisting at road accidents, in searches and rescues or helping residents affected by severe weather,” he said.
“During the floods, I had the privilege to meet many of our SES volunteers and see their outstanding work firsthand. Their effort has been inspiring to many Queenslanders, so much so the SES has welcomed new members at a rate of almost three each day this year.”
It was estimated SES members will have contributed more than 75,000 hours in 2007-08, which is the equivalent of 8½ years’ work. Last year, there were 6430 SES members made up of 4574 active members and 1856 support members.
Mr Roberts said each new SES recruit is fitted out with more than $700 in personal protection equipment, including orange clothing, boots, hat, webbed utility belt and a Kevlar helmet for operational volunteers. New SES recruits also undertake comprehensive training and induction programs
“The Queensland Government is currently investing $24.5 million over five years to boost equipment and training for the SES. We have ramped up funding for SES in recent years in recognition of its important role and to cater for additional recruits,” he said.
29 July 2008
Media contact:
• Kirby Anderson (travelling with the Minister) 0418 197 350
• Brendan Connell 3247 8992