WITH the Northcliffe fires now deemed to be under control, local Bridgetown State Emergency Services (SES) volunteers have been stood down from helping and are able to relax just a little.
During the fires, the local SES unit provided a support service to the volunteer and professional firefighters by assisting with radio communications and with transportation of personnel, meals and equipment.
Bridgetown SES Local Unit Manager Ann O'Keefe said it was great to be able to help out at the fires and members were well trained to assist during such emergencies.
"The Northcliffe fires is just one of many call outs we receive throughout the year," Ms O'Keefe said.
"We also provide support with many other emergencies, such as searches for missing people and assisting locals with storm damage."
The unit consists of volunteers from a variety of backgrounds and professions who respond to emergencies and disasters across the state. They are now looking for new volunteers to join up so they can be trained up to help out during these emergencies.
"It is important to have the appropriate skills, to be able to work as a team and depend on each other during these challenging situations, so training together is a very important aspect of the SES," Ms O'Keefe said.
"Training involves lots of different skills. You can learn anything from using a chainsaw to cliff rescue, but nobody is asked to do anything they feel uncomfortable with. There are continuous free training courses all over Western Australia for SES members and the SES provides transport as well as accommodation if members have to stay overnight.
"The local unit also tries to arrange as much training as possible in Bridgetown. Last year the unit went through a comprehensive First Aid course and this year we are conducting a General Rescue course in Bridgetown in May and inviting other units to join us. We also do exercises to keep up our skill levels. Last year we did an evening of geocaching to put the fun into using GPS units and radios.
"All volunteers are provided with personal protective equipment, the snazzy orange SES uniform, as well as training. The unit meets every Tuesday evening, and although not everyone can attend every meeting, they are enjoyable and great for developing camaraderie."
Local SES unit member Marta Sandberg said there were many reasons she decided to join the SES.
"I decided that it was time to embark on a new adventure," Ms Sandberg said. "I have worked with my brain for my whole career, and I thought it would be good to do some more practical things to force myself to stretch my limits.
"It gives me a deep feeling of satisfaction knowing that I am helping my community and people around me. And it is fun. You meet a lot of people from all over the South West while learning new, useful and exciting skills.
"I have made a lot of new friends, had lots of laughs and I feel more confident within myself since joining the SES."
More information can be found on the Bridgetown SES Facebook page.
