Without the many rescue and recovery volunteers in the area, those devastated by last year’s floods might be a lot worse off.
Photo Jennifer King.
Volunteers from the Mullumbimby SES Unit were fully activated and on alert in February and March 2022, as waterways reached unprecedented levels and properties were inundated – people needed help.
The unit, whose brief is to help out during floods, storms and tsunamis, responded to approximately 800 calls for assistance from the community during 2022.
They are also called upon by other emergency services.
One of the silver linings of the events of 2022 was the influx of people wanting to volunteer with the service, but more people are needed.
There is a job for everyone within the organisation, and those who think they might not be strong enough, or fit enough, may be surprised at the myriad of things they can do to help keep the service running smoothly.
Non-active roles
This includes being on the incident management team, community liaison, volunteer coordination, training and general administration.
Volunteer, Eco, who has been with the service for about five years, says that volunteer numbers doubled from 15 since 2022, but they need more.
He says, ‘We have a lot of administration roles that we still need help with. Especially with community engagement’.
Justin, who has been with the service for just over a year, is a double lung transplant recipient, and says that he wanted to show that People With Disability (PWD) are welcome to join the service.
He says, ‘There are a number of people who have a wide gamut of disabilities who volunteer. I want to show that there is actually a role for everyone’.
The Mullum unit also has an even representation of males and females.
If you want to become part of this great team that supports the community in times of need, you can join the SES by visiting: www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer.
