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Randwick City news (updated 2nd September 2008) It's been a long time coming but we've finally gotten a replacement for our Category 1 Rescue vehicle and the Category 2 is around the corner. With our recent floodboat delivery, we're really modernising our fleet so many thanks to Randwick council and Sydney Southern Region. Spring is in the air and changes are also happening to our headquarters with new computers which are almost ready to go, new walls going in, expansion into parts of the council depot and who know what else. August has been busy with members being qualified in chainsaw, work in operations centre, helping in community events like City to Surf and the Hawkesbury Ski Racing Classic. September will hopefully see our members currently doing General Rescue, deemed competent later in the month when they have their assessment. The Wollongong Navrescue is on the 20th, testing our skills in map reading, navigation and general rescue. The SES will have members helping out with the Blackmore's Marathon on the 21st which goes through our lovely city. Airservices Australia have also kindly invited us to visit their emergency response facilities, so we'll see some of their equipment for handling emergencies at the airport. We're also looking forward to the Region Presentation Night on 4th October, our local Presentation Night on 5th December, the National Disaster Conference in February 2009, the Region Rescue Comp in March 2009, our 50th Birthday in 2009.....so much to come. Check out some of the photos on our photo gallery or the Unit calendar for what's been and what's coming up. what we do Current Active Membership : 64 Training nights : Tuesday 7pm - 9:30pm Callouts : Mainly trees and roofs. New members receive training in the following:
Induction - approx 4-6 weeks
If they choose to go into Rescue
Flood Boat - 4 full days
If they choose to go into Operations
Courses open to all: Annual SES events: NavShield, Wollongong Nav, Rescue Competition (Biennial event)
Community events we participate in: Please click here to go to our Unit Calendar. Please click here to go to our Photo Gallery. Please click here to go to our Internet links page. Please click here to go to our Disclaimer. HQ and equipmentWe are situated in the Randwick council depot in Storey St which provides us with a modern secure facility. We can run a call centre, monitor the radio traffic, task requests for assistance, cater, train and maintain the equipment.
The primary response vehicle (Type 1) can carry 7 people, with all the equipment to respond to requests. As a guide, the vehicles carry lights, generators, roof safety kits, various ladders, first aid, water pumps, hand tools, radios, ropes, tarpulines and chainsaws. Our first boat is a Savage 4.75M V-hulled punt, which can carry 4 people, powered by a Mercury Bigfoot 50. We also have trailers which can be loaded with specific needs and taken out to sites.
In a large scale emergency, our close ties with Randwick Council allows us access to their resources and we also use external providers for elevated working platforms, cranes and professional tree services.
Being a SES volunteer does not mean you only go out during storms and helping in the community in stressful times. There are many parts of the SES that are less physically demanding but just as important as those out in the field. Call Centre - First point of contact for the public in times of crisis. People need to be able to answer phones and provide assistance. Operations - Process the requests for assistance and allocate jobs to rescue teams. Catering - Ensuring all the volunteers get feed and are looked after. Stores - Maintain and stock the equipment that is used out in the field Media & Events - Liaise with the public. Transport - Ensure the vehicles are loaded and ready to be deployed Computers & Communications - Support the equipment used by operations and rescue.
The training you receive for rescue and operations is nationally accreditted so you can be recognised in your other endeavours. Each person has their own reasons for joining - new skills, meet people, help getting into another service, helping in times of need, community spirit...we don't question why, we just welcome you aboard. If you'd like to join
Please email randwick.ses.membership@bigpond.com with your name and contact details. Our next intake will be February 2009. We are looking for committed volunteers which is why we only do one intake a year. There may be other Units recruiting during the year, so please approach them directly as we cannot provide any details or forward your interest. You need to be over 18 to join.
Local Controller: Peter Gray
Everyone in our Unit is a volunteer, so if you have any enquiries, please call the above number or turn up at the Unit Headquarters on Tuesday night.
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