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Randwick City news (updated 18th May 2009) It's been a busy few months. The STAR exercise was run in the Appin area. It was a fun weekend doing searches through the bush and we had the police helicopter buzzing overhead. There has also been plenty of requests for assistance. Coogee experienced severe flooding and surrounding areas were effected. Training has been busy with Elevated Work Platform training, First Aid courses, Communications Course and General Rescue. We've run a Work in Operation Centre exercise and will shortly run a Rescue exercise. Check out some of the photos on our photo gallery or the Unit calendar for what's been and what's coming up.
Current Active Membership : 64 Training nights : Tuesday 7pm - 9:30pm Callouts : Mainly trees and roofs. New members receive training in the following:
Induction - approx 1-3 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 boat is a Savage 4.75M V-fronted 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 2010. 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.
If you are a current member or previously a member at another unit and would like to transfer, you'll need to do the following steps:
- Fillout a transfer form
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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