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NewsletterMay 2021

From the President

Greg CookPresident

Respect, Dedication, Community Support

Hi to you in what has been, and will continue to be, a very operational period for the SES.

The SES Volunteers have responded to the needs of communities in the Mid­West/Gascoyne region caused by Cyclone Seroja.

I choose the title of my article to reflect the holistic effort from you all.

All means “you, your family, your friends, your unit members, your employers and your own community” and they all need to be thanked for a state­wide team effort.

Please also, to all those SES members that could or did not go, their support within their units to ensure the gaps are filled during deployment absences must also not go unrecognised or forgotten. What ever happens, the home town(s) business needs to continue.

Whilst I am aware of some of the preliminary community feedback from the Mid­West/Gascoyne, more details will be gleaned in the near future. So, your collective efforts, along with our interstate SES colleagues, is highly valued by the communities we responded to. We do need to respect that many people have and will continue to help themselves in times of emergency.

The Association also wishes to truly recognise the combined response and efforts of all the services that stood beside us during the response. Whether they are Incident Command Teams, Fire, Marine, Military, Administration and other critical government agencies, it requires a great team in these circumstances to manage the stress and strain of the residents.

I say thank you to you all.

It gives a greater importance to Wear Orange Wednesday or as we call it WOW Day this year.

I sincerely hope that we can open our doors and recognise how truly amasing you are. I am certain the community would love to celebrate with you.

At this time, I also add that “Lest We Forget”.

Whilst ANZAC Day has now passed, I know many of us would have reflected on sacrifice. Together we stand. My best wishes to you all, thank you.

NewsletterSES Awards

Nominations for SES Awards

The 2021 State Emergency Service Awards are now open for nominations and we will close on Monday 3 May 2021.

All the categories, criteria and eligibility remain the same as 2020. Full details on the 2021 SES Awards can be found at the DFES website here: https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/awards/Pages/sesawards.aspx

SESVA President Greg Cook said” I encourage all SES Units and Groups to take this opportunity to nominate their Members for these prestigious awards”.

There are three categories:

Peter Keillor Award (SES Volunteer of the Year) Team Achievement Award Your encouragement Award.

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May 2021

Asbestos RegisterThe Australian Government has created the National Asbestos Exposure Register (NAER) to record information for members of the community who may have been exposed to asbestos, for their future reference.

The NAER is a voluntary, privacy­protected register for anyone who believes they may have been exposed to asbestos – whether at work, in the home or in the community. This data is stored securely and can be accessed by the individual in the future if they need to recall the exposure event.

SES Volunteers who have worked near asbestos in the recent cyclone recovery operations may wish to register.

Below is the link to the Australian Government website.www.asbestossafety.gov.au/asbestos-health-risks-and-exposure/national-asbestos-exposure-register

Just a quick reminder the SESVA is on facebook.

Western Australian SES Volunteers Association

https://www.facebook.com/groups/42218868165

Follow us to get all the current information affecting SES Volunteers.

facebook

From the President 1SES Awards 2Asbestos Register 2Facebook 2Merredin Local Coordinator 3Training Ideas 3SESVA Buses 4Wellness Update 4Summary of SES Training Product development 5Lessons Management Observation Portal 7Opening the Emergency Services Legislation Discussion 7Merchadise 7Emergency Funding 7Mental Health during cyclone Seroja 8How to Keep Informed 8Historical Photo's 8Website 8Wooroloo Fire Debrief 9Operational Research & Development Newsletter 14

From your team at the

SESVA

What's in this edition:

NewsletterMerredin Local

CoordinatorMerredin SES honour past Local Coordinator

(Manager)

In recent times Merredin SES has gone through an upgrade with the building of a new shed and now with new plans being developed for further upgrades. These new extensions help support the very important Emergency Service offered to the community. Recently the unit held an open day for the community to come and see the Unit’s Headquarters and meet the team.

On the day past and present members reminisced and looked back at the history of the unit and how it used to be housed in an old fuel deport located at the eastern end of Barrack St near the roundabout in Mary St. at that time it was governed by WA State Emergency Service (WASES) (Now the Department of Fire & Emergency Services ­ DFES). Local Coordinator then was Mario Discenza.

Unlike now days funding to manage the SES was mainly via Fundraising and a very small honorarium from Local Government and lots of local support. One element that hasn’t change since then is the dedication of the volunteer members.

It was with the enthusiasm and dedication of Mr Discenza that the unit survived and grew, and acquired new headquarters, where it remains today and still continues to grow. Mr Discenza had offered years of dedicated volunteer service and with the transition into Fire and Emergency Services (FESA) his efforts seemed to have gone unnoticed.

Mr Discenza accepted an invite to attend Merredin SES open day and shared a story or two over a BBQ, with current members of how Merredin SES came to be. Current members had all agreed that if it hadn’t been for Mr Discenza’s courage the unit wouldn’t be where it is today and as such honoured him with a belated but well­deserved Certificate of Excellence. Present for the presentation was DFES District Officer, Natural Hazards Mr. Matthew Reimer, who presented Mr Discenza with the award.

Mr Discenza Receiving his award from

DO Mathew Reimer

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Training IdeasThe SESVA is expanding the training initiative we commenced at the beginning of the COVID­19 pandemic.

We produced some training ideas for Unit Training Managers to help them with Unit Members training during the lock down period..

Now, we are expanding this initiative and hope to include many new ideas for training.

The start is a selection of Team Building exercises.

These can be found at

https://ses­wa.asn.au/ses­volunteer­training

If you have an idea for training, and wish to share it with other SES Volunteers, please contact the Secretary

sesva.secretary@ses­wa.asn.au

May 2021

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Newsletter

SESVA BusesProving Their Worth

It is great for the SES to note that the eight BHP Funded Buses that the Association negotiated for use in nominated SES Units are being deployed actively within our communities.

No doubt you have not been able to miss the strong SES livery, and we do again thank BHP for extending the grant from a five year to ten year funding benefit.

The SESVA buses have been used to for operational callouts, training, search, fire transport, and more, over 275 times in the past 9 months in support of DFES and SES community needs.

The Association intends to continue to work with DFES to extend the provision of additional buses to more units.

After all, ithe SESVA buses enable the SES members to turn out in response to community needs.

Wellness UpdateThe following information has been received

from the DFES Wellness Branch.

The communities that we serve are currently experiencing the impact of the devastation of the Tropical cyclone Seroja.

We applaud the ‘community spirit’, the practical support and donations that continue to flow generously to the most affected areas.

We acknowledge the tireless efforts of our emergency services volunteers who continue their work in different towns directly hit by the tropical cyclone. We are grateful for the assistance we have received from the Eastern States who have deployed first responders to assist us during these challenging times.

The wellness team has been in constant communication with key operational officers on the ground since the tropical cyclone.

We have been informed that crews are working hard under very trying circumstances which is going to result in fatigue, stress and is going to amplify any pre­existing issues.

Our strategies:

To support crews through their managers, captains and commanders.

Encourage support in their peers and community.

Provide information on other supports available.

Stress the importance of identifying individuals that are struggling to cope with the current situation and help them with every resource available (e.g. EAP).

A designated Peer Support Officer will be present and available during the recovery phase.

Wellness branch will be coordinating BGU visits during the recovery stage in the next couple of weeks.

To date we have contacted all individuals who have been directly referred to wellness.

We encourage and remind each and every one to exercise self­care.

• Ensure that you are able to take the necessary breaks in between your work load.

• Keep an eye and support each other.• Communicate with your manager any concerns

related to your health and well­being.• Utilise the resources we have available through the Employee Assistance Program.

o PeopleSense­ 1300 307 912 or (08) 9388 9000

o Martinovich Psychological Services­ (08) 9433 6559

We encourage Managers and Supervisors to directly contact

wellness@dfes.wa.gov.au or call 0413 312 426

to speak with the wellness team member.

Wellness Chaplain is also available to be contacted on 0436 523 421

Wellness Update cont'd

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May 2021

Newsletter Summary of SES Training Product development

We have great pleasure in providing to you such a high level of transparency in SES Training from the Academy. I truly respect honesty and hope you will see the endeavour from staff to create a transparent working relationship.

The benefit to us all is that we can engage in discussion and consultation having faith that we are tracking in a better direction.

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May 2021

Newsletter Summary of SES Training Product development cont'd

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May 2021

Newsletter

Lessons Management Observation Portal

The Portal is designed to encourage SES volunteers to submit details of any lessons learned which may be used to benefit Volunteers in the future – particularly those operating in the cyclone affected areas, are encouraged to submit an observation.

Details of the portal can be found on the Volunteer Hub, under the ‘Collaborate’ tab from the Home page.

https://volunteerhub.dfes.wa.gov.au/home/collaborate/lessons­management­observations­portal#Submit­your­observation

The form • is a one pager • can be completed any time via the Hub • comes with a guide about writing a good submission;

andwill go to the lessons management team once the user clicks ‘submit’ at the bottom of the form.

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May 2021

Opening the Emergency Services Legislation

DiscussionMany SES Volunteers across our large state have heard in one format or another that there is new legislation to incorporate many of our old Acts, but not including the Emergency Management Act 2005.

The time for us speak collectively or individually as a unit(s) is now. I do stress that when, what’s called “The Green Paper” is released for public comment, we will have missed our opportunity to add value to the SES, its structure and operation profile.

To make your contribution you can either discuss this with your Association Committee Member, direct with Greg or Lin or with DFES.

Greg con be contacted at: sesva.president@ses-wa.asn.au

or 0418 403 960 Lin can be contacted at:

sesva.secretary@ses-wa.asn.au or 0428 612 480

Directly to DFES the contacts is:­ lauren.townsend@dfes.wa.gov.au

Also note the Max Ross, member of the Two Rocks SES Unit has exercised his right and has a petition called “The case for change” . Max can be contacted at:

maxthecherryman@gmail.com or 0412 209 917

I cannot stress enough that to wait means it’s too late to create the SES volunteering environment we want, not what we are given.

ACT.

MerchandiseDon't forget the SESVA has a range of items that can help with recruitment campaigns and promotion of your Unit.

Just contact Bella at the SESVA office.sesva.office@ses­wa.asn.au

Emergency FundingAPPLICATION FOR EMERGENCY FUNDING

Tropical Cyclone Seroja

The WAESVHAS Committee has received approval from the DFES Commissioner to proceed with immediate grants to SES Volunteers who have had their principal place of residence severely impacted by this event.

This grant of $1500 be made to each household of a SES Volunteer which has been impacted, through EFT to their nominated bank account. There shall be only one grant per household.

The transfer is to be made by the SES Volunteers Association as soon as possible, and within three days of receipt of the member’s financial institution details. The grant is intended to immediately assist the member and their household for clothing, food or other contingencies.

SES Volunteers who have had their principal place of residence severely impacted by tropical cyclone Seroja should contact the SESVA Secretary on

0428 612 480 or

sesva.secretary@ses­wa.asn.au

for application details.

NewsletterMental Health during

cyclone SerojaWell a short report on Mental Health during our deployment to Kalbarri by Robert Palmer, Mundaring Unit.

My team was part of the 1st SES Metro task force after cyclone Seroja hit Kalbarri.

We went in knowing the townspeople would be going through a lot of adjustments both physical and mental, and with this in mind we mentally prepared ourselves to show, empathy and the willingness to do what we must, while keeping a professional distance.

What occurred over the coming days was that we were made to feel as if we were part of the town.

It started on the first day where telecommunications were down and as part of our orders we were to be the modern day pony express and inform as many people about the community meetings and services available, while we were completing storm damage tasks.

We were always welcomed by residents, offered cups of tea, a sandwich and many many hugs. Both my team and other SES Teams were seen stopping and talking to residents, wether it was passing on information or having a chat, while going from job to job.

This seemed to raise the spirits of the residents and reinforced to us why we were there. It was about the people, not about buildings. That professional distance thing was disappearing fast.

Mid week through our deployment the Army turned up to assist in operations, and what was great to see was that they had their Chaplain onsite, wearing the same camo, chatting and talking to the troops,.

Now that's dedication to looking after the mental health of the front line.

What seems to have the biggest impact on my team is being told the people of the town appreciated that we did stop and talk, and gave direction on where to find assistance, or just the fact the vehicle windows were down and a friendly wave was given.

.Lastly, some of us have ended our deployment or are about to, and we need to keep a watch on each other ­ it may not be today or tomorrow that this may affect you, but 6 months away. don't bottle it up.

Talk to a family member, your team or a Manager.

If your not comfortable with this there is also the DFES chaplain and the Wellness branch.

Just remember to REACH OUT

Mental Health during cyclone Seroja cont'd

How to Keep InformedDon't forget we have a website which keeps you informed of what is happening across the state in SES land.

We also have "the App". (SESVA WA) and are on Facebook.

And also, if you would like our newsletters, other relevant information etc forwarded direct to your email, just contact the SESVA office (sesva.office@ses­wa.asn.au), and advise your details. Page 8

Historical Photo'sDon't forget the SESVA are looking for photos, video's, slides and/or film from the Dawn of Time to create a visual history of our great organization.

Copies can be sent to us in a digital format ­ just ensure the scan is high resolution (at least 300dpi).Just send them to Bella at the office.

May 2021

WebsiteThe SESVA website has been upgraded and improved.

Check it out!

If you have any questions, comments, improvements please contact our webmaster

John Capes sesva.webmaster@ses­wa.asn.au

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