SES Week officially launched at Southport ceremony

State Emergency Services volunteers will be awarded for their dedication and hard work this week with special award ceremonies taking place around the state from Saturday 7 to Sunday 15 October.

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan today officially launched SES Week at a ceremony at Southport.

Each year Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) conducts official ceremonies that pay tribute to and celebrate SES’s outstanding volunteers.

“SES volunteers perform with dedication and professionalism and spend many hours in service to Queenslanders and this is an opportunity to recognise their professionalism,” Mr Ryan said. 

“They provide critical support during emergency situations assisting with storm damage, land search, road crash rescue, vertical rescue, flood boats, traffic management, agency support, incident management and specialist rescue.

“To recognise this significant work, each of our seven SES regions — Far North, North, Central, North Coast, South West, South East and Brisbane — hold ceremonies and award SES Volunteers.”

The Minister said there was the Regional Member of the Year; the Regional Unit/Group of the Year; and Regional Operational Response of the Year.

“The award winners are automatically eligible for the Minister’s Cup for SES Member of the Year; Commissioner’s Cup for SES Unit/Group of the Year and the Assistant Commissioner’s Shield for SES Operational Response of the Year,” Mr Ryan said.

“There are about 6000 SES Volunteers around Queensland who give up their time, energy and skills to help build a more resilient community. In the last financial year they devoted hundreds of thousands of hours of their time to helping Queenslanders.

“Our SES Volunteers provide critical support during emergency situations assisting with storm damage, land searches, road crash rescue, vertical rescues, flood boats, traffic management, agency support, incident management and specialist rescue.

“During this week we take time to thank all SES members for their ongoing dedication, commitment and professionalism and for helping all Queenslanders, particularly during tough times when we need them most.

“On behalf of all Queenslanders I would like thank our SES Volunteers for everything they do for us.”

Mr Ryan also thanked the SES Principal Partner, the NRMA for their continued support.

“Our SES will be better equipped to perform their work and Queenslanders will be more resilient thanks to the Storm Preparedness education campaign,” Mr Ryan said.

Ramana James, NRMA Insurance Head of Shared Value, said the work of the Queensland SES deserves to be celebrated in the community.

“We have seen first-hand the crucial part the Queensland SES play in helping Queenslanders prepare for and recover from severe weather events like Cyclone Debbie,” Mr James said.

“In emergency situations Queensland SES volunteers put the safety of the community ahead of their own needs, and it is wonderful to see this recognised through SES Week.”

The 2017 SES Awards will be announced on Sunday 15 October.

Media contact: Sue Lappeman 0418 792 406