My almost 14 years in the State Emergency Service (SES) have transformed my perspective on community, resilience and what it truly means to show up when disaster strikes. Over more than a decade, the orange overalls have become a second skin, carrying the dust, mud and memories of extraordinary deployments.
The core of SES work is often defined by the unpredictable fury of the weather. Responding to storm jobs means answering the call in the dead of night, bracing against torrential rain to tarp damaged roofs, clear fallen trees and secure properties.
Then come the floods. Flood operations demand endurance and precision, navigating inundated streets where familiar neighbourhoods quickly become unfamiliar waterways. Among the most intense memories are rare, high-stakes events, including responding to the aftermath of a tornado, where sudden and catastrophic damage requires an immediate response.
True service rarely stays within the boundaries of your local unit. Going out of area on deployment means packing a bag at a moment’s notice to support crews in distant regions or interstate.
These deployments forge strong bonds with fellow volunteers and bring the privilege of working alongside other major agencies. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army during large-scale disaster recovery demonstrated how different organisations can come together under one urgent mission – helping communities through their toughest days.
Among the countless operations, few moments match the adrenaline and gravity of stepping into a helicopter for a property protection mission. Looking down at a landscape altered by natural forces is a stark reminder of the scale of an emergency. Whether delivering supplies, assessing damage or protecting isolated properties, aviation operations contrast with the gruelling groundwork, yet both serve the same purpose: keeping people safe.
Looking back over almost 14 years, the true impact of the journey is measured in the quieter moments after the chaos – the relief on a homeowner’s face, the camaraderie between volunteers and knowing that when the worst happened, you were there to help.
Wearing the orange uniform for more than a decade has been about community, friendship and standing alongside people when they need it most.
I encourage anyone with a little free time to consider joining the SES. You meet great people, make lifelong friends and, most importantly, help people in their time of need.
