Local SES expands with new vehicle

By Callan Date
WHEN storms, floods and high winds hit the City of Casey most people seek refuge indoors.
But Narre Warren State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers do exactly the opposite.
And now the vital community group will have more people on the front line after the purchase of a new, specially equipped vehicle.
The group, made up of 27 members, has been helping Casey residents in times of need since beginning operations in June 2005.
Controller Brett Reddy said the addition of a new vehicle was vital to the organisation’s bid to continue to service the city as quickly as possible.
He said the entire project cost about $65,000 with about one-third of that money being raised through community contributions.
“We purchased a Nissan Navara with after market equipment to deck it out for our needs,” Mr Reddy said.
“We also used the money to buy the equipment that will go inside the vehicle.”
Mr Reddy said the new vehicle would join the two others in the local SES fleet.
“Now we have the capacity to have three crews out in the field at once. We cover about 400 square kilometres so we really needed the third car.”
However, the third vehicle would not have been a possibility without community support, he said.
“We are really appreciative of the support from the community. We have been raising money for the past 18 months through can rattles and sausage sizzles.”
A State Government grant made up the remaining money needed to purchase the vehicle.
Mr Reddy said the SES was always keen to encourage new members and not everyone had to be on the front line.
“We encourage people who are retired or semi-retired to come and help out with some of the back office duties,” he said.
Anyone interested in volunteering with the Narre Warren State Emergency Service can contact 1300 VIC SES (1300 842 737).