SES grows

By Kelly Yates
The Berwick resident took on the role of controller just over two months ago, saying one of his main goals was to create a second operational team and a day crew to be based out of Narre Warren.
“We are always looking for new members,” he said.
“We are a volunteer organisation so we rely on the help from the community.”
Mr Howell, who moved to Australia from the United Kingdom 13 years ago, has had several years of experience in search and rescue.
“I did search and rescue in England and then when I came over I joined the Nunawading SES,” he said.
“I started my training there and worked my way up the ranks. I was with the unit for eight years.”
The 45-year-old said being a part of the SES was his hobby.
“Some like footy, cricket or tennis. But I enjoy giving something back to the community,” he said.
Mr Howell said some of the roles of the SES volunteers included helping with storm damage, search and rescue and assisting other authorities such as police and the CFA.
He said in Casey, the main jobs they were called to were helping authorities provide lighting and clearing fallen trees from roads.
Despite the Narre Warren SES receiving a certain amount of funding from the government and Casey Council, the volunteers had to raise $30,000 a year from business grants and donations to help with the running of the unit.
The Narre Warren SES currently has 28 members.
“Possible volunteers go through full training, become probationary members and then get a general rescue certificate,” Mr Howell said.
“We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We all thank our families and employers as without their support we wouldn’t get the time off to help support the community.”
The Narre Warren SES unit is located at 36A Vesper Drive in Narre Warren.