State Emergency Service - Call 132 500
The State Emergency Service is a volunteer-based organisation that is designed to empower people to help themselves and others in their community in times of emergency or disaster.
Concept of the State Emergency Service (SES)
The basic concept of the SES is one of self help and mutual assistance within each community. Maximum use is made of existing resources that are in day-to-day use within each community to reinforce the resources of statutory services in times of disaster and emergency.
This concept involves the community in all aspects of disaster and emergency activity including prevention, preparation, response and recovery measures that will help protect the community when disaster strikes.
The protection of life and property and the alleviation of suffering and hardship caused by disaster are the fundamental responsibilities of the three levels of government - Federal, State and Local - and the community.
Functions of the SES
The primary functions of the SES are:
- to advise and assist Local Government, Government Departments, statutory organisations, voluntary groups and other bodies
- to educate and train members of the public (including volunteers and members of voluntary groups)
- to coordinate, direct and control members of the public (including volunteers and members of voluntary groups), material and resources, for counter-disaster purposes
The SES also has the following emergency related functions:
- to carry out rescue or similar operations in an emergency situation
- to carry out search operations in an emergency or other situation
- to carry out other operations in an emergency situation to:
- help injured persons
- protect people or property from danger or potential danger associated with the emergency situation
Roles of the SES
The SES becomes involved in preparing for and responding to many different types of disasters and emergencies including:
- cyclones
- floods
- severe storms
- earthquakes
- cliff rescues
- transportation accidents (road / rail / air)
- landslides
- searches for missing persons
- animal disease outbreaks
SES members also assist other emergency services with:
- provision of emergency lightning
- provision of emergency welfare services
- control of traffic at emergency scenes
- provision of emergency communications
