Tyler Redway
VOLUNTEERS are being called for by the Mount Gambier State Emergency Services (SES) following the Covid-19 pandemic impacting recruitment numbers last year.
The annual recruitment program helps current SES workers search for new volunteers, enabling them to learn a variety of skills.
Manager of the South East operations support unit Kimberley Paxon said recruitment efforts last year became challenging due to the pandemic.
Ms Paxon said despite the difficulties, the local unit was still able to secure a small number of recruits.
“Usually in Mount Gambier we get about 10 to 15 new recruits a year but with Covid it did slow down a bit,” Ms Paxon said.
“We have information sessions advertised on social media to let people know we are looking for volunteers to sign up.”
Ms Paxon said the public was beginning to realise how emergency services have helped with fires and other operations, which could encourage more people to volunteer for their local emergency response teams.
“We’re looking for as many members as possible because there are a lot of positions to fill,” she said.
“A lot of people see the SES as a storm response, which a majority of it is, but we also offer training in chains of operations, land search, communications, first aid and rescue operations, as well as a variety of administrative jobs.”
She added there is no age limit to who can volunteer, mentioning there is one member in a group still serving the community in their late 80s.
Volunteers may choose how much time is dedicated to the service, Ms Paxton said even as little as an hour a day would be welcomed.
“We have a few training sessions throughout the week so we can be fairly flexible,” Ms Paxon said.
“I believe it has been made very clear how much we are doing for the community when situations occur, so we believe everyone has something to offer when giving back to the community.”
The SES hotline is 1300 364 587.
