Community & Business
18 August, 2023
Recruits sought for emergencies
FOR the first time this year, the next Far Northern Region State Emergency Service Recruit Class will be conducted in Atherton.
The recruit classes include all the basic training required for new State Emergency Service volunteers, and in just four weeks participants will be classed as operational members.
SES is a volunteer-based organisation that is designed to empower people to help themselves and others in their community during times of emergency and disaster.
Atherton State Emergency Services Deputy Group Leader Kylie Lang said they were looking for capable people from Mareeba to Atherton, Malanda to Herberton and everywhere in between to join the services.
“All of the recruit classes have been held in Cairns, so to have it in Atherton is really good,” Ms Lang said.
The next recruit classes will be held over six full days in Atherton on 9-10 September, 23-24 September and 7-8 October – all are Saturday and Sunday courses.
Some of the courses completed over the six days include Emergency Lighting, Safety, Ladders, Storm and Water Damage Operations, Operate Communications Systems and Equipment, First Aid, Work in a Team, Participate in a Rescue Operation plus lots more.
“Everyone has their own little niche that they like to be involved with, so there is something for everyone,” Ms Lang said.
She said they had hoped to attract a number of volunteers and especially people over 18, so they could be fully active following the training.
“We do take younger volunteers but we prefer older recruits as they can be fully active,” Ms Lang said.
Malanda SES is particularly looking for volunteers to fill positions, with their training nights are held weekly on Monday nights from 7-9pm.
Ms Lang encourages interested people to visit on a training night at the SES Malanda Building in the Malanda showgrounds.
Alternatively, applications can be found online at www.qfes.qld.gov.au – follow the links through to the State Emergency Service volunteer page.
