Environment Matters Autumn/Winter 2024

SES Volunteer: Breannan Day job: Government officer Why I volunteer: I started with wanting to do searches, but realise now SES is much more than that. An action to take right now at home: Make sure your torches have working batteries.

Ready for action The ‘orange army’ of SES volunteers are highly visible in times of disaster, actively responding to community need whether it is fire, storm, search and rescue and more.

However, it is the times between activations – often during the calmer weather of autumn and winter – that those skills are learned and honed, so that volunteers are ready to respond to the call. Ipswich SES Local Controller Kristie-Lee Kolbee said land search training and casualty handling was often done this time of year, as it could be physically strenuous. “It is where you have to carry someone on a stretcher, such as an injured bushwalker,” she said. “Depending on the width of the track and the terrain, it could take up to

12 people if we needed to go hand- over-hand with the stretcher.” Ms Kolbee said White Rock – Spring Mountain Conservation Estate and Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate were often used for this training because of their challenging terrain. “Flinders-Goolman is interesting because it has limited phone reception,” she said. “One of the most important things if you are going on a bushwalk, is always to tell someone where you plan to go and when you plan to return.” Ms Kolbee said autumn and winter were also an ideal time to prepare your home.

SES Volunteer: Ryan Day job: Pest control Why I volunteer: To gain extra knowledge and skills An action to take right now at home: Cleaning your gutters

Find information on how to Get Ready at home at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/emergency

SES Volunteer: Nick Day job: Schools officer

Why I volunteer: I love helping the community. Every shift is different and you meet new people. An action to take right now at home: Check on your neighbours, especially if they are elderly.

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