Urgent SES call

By Kelly Yates
FAMILY first, work comes second and SES duties, third.
That’s the motto at the Narre Warren SES, according to operations officer Ian Earle.
Mr Earle told the News the unit was calling for more volunteers in the lead-up to summer.
The Narre Warren SES unit currently has 28 volunteers, aged 18 to 63.
The unit is looking for men and women over 18 years for both non-operational duties like office duties and operational jobs such as being out in the field.
“Many of the people out there don’t realise that the SES relies on the community to help them out. Without the community coming along and assisting, we can’t survive,” Mr Earle said.
“The volunteers only ever do what they feel comfortable doing. There’s no pressure,” he said.
The Narre Warren SES members were called out to 157 jobs in one night during August, with the volunteers cleaning up trees that had fallen onto houses and roads, and doing tarp and repair damage.
SES volunteers train every Wednesday night, and Mr Earle said to be the best it was important to get proper training.
Mr Earle has been a member of the SES for more than 30 years.
“You feel the comradeship at the unit. It’s a challenge, but a rewarding one as you are doing something good for the community,” he said.
“It also gives you a sense of belonging as you get to do something exciting your friends and relatives only dream about. You get a sense of excitement.”
The Narre Warren SES unit also takes part in local community events such as shows, fetes and festivals.
For details about joining the Narre Warren SES, call 1300 842 737.