The NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Muswellbrook Unit is expanding its skills set through storm and water damage training and traffic control, supported through funding from Bengalla mine.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Training provided by SES member Ben Maxwell will strengthen the unit’s response to storms in the Muswellbrook area with 10 volunteers becoming equipped with abilities such as knot tying, tarping and emergency lighting.
“Having Ben transfer from Cooranbong has provided a great opportunity for the Muswellbrook Unit to up-skill volunteers with storm and water damage training,” Muswellbrook SES controller Mark Elsley said.
“Community assistance required specific skills and we are very appreciative of Bengalla’s financial support.
“While the main role of the SES is to respond to storms, floods and tsunamis, we also assist with community events throughout the year.
“Equipping our volunteers with both emergency response skills and community service skills ensures we can provide a quality service to the community.
“In our most recent storm event, volunteers who were undertaking storm and water damage training were able to gain hands on experience when called to respond to damage on Sandy Creek Road.
“While our qualified members managed damaged roof tiles, our team leader guided the trainees through preparing the tarps and ropes to cover the damaged roof.
“Many of our volunteers have had the opportunity to acquire yellow and blue traffic control cards which qualify them to control traffic including the placement of witches hats and barricades at the community events.”
Bengalla general manager operations Dan Janney said the SES provided an invaluable service to the community in responding to emergency situations.
“We are proud to support the SES in extending their volunteer services to community events through providing funding for the traffic control training,” he said.
“Events such as Anzac Day are important and having the SES available to assist with things such as traffic control ensures these events run smoothly.
“Later in the year we are looking forward to working with the SES to manage parking and traffic control for the Bengalla Community Open Day.”
The SES is currently seeking volunteers to join the Muswellbrook and Denman Units.
For information on how to join, contact the Muswellbrook SES Unit on 0429 463 352 or 0438 282 896, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au or email mbk.ops@ses.nsw.gov.au