By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Narre Warren-based Clinton Brown, 30, is making his mark as one of VICSES’s most youthful unit controllers.
He is one of the faces of this year’s Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day campaign – a national day of thanks for SES volunteers on 23 May.
Beside his full-time job, Mr Brown volunteers his time to run Casey’s only SES unit.
Its 50 members are on hand to respond to more than 640 callouts a year.
However, 2018 has proven unusually busy, with more than 400 calls for help in the first five months.
The calls can come any time, Mr Brown says.
Often volunteers are roused out of their beds to attend a leaking roof, flooding home or a fallen tree.
They are often braving the worst of wet and windy weather.
Mr Brown’s duties are many, but he enjoys it.
He keeps the unit financially compliant and sound, ensures the members are trained and the equipment is up-to-date.
When he started with the unit in 2009, he was just eager to meet a new challenge and new people.
“It’s the friendships and the people – you respect the people who are prepared to get out of bed in the pouring rain to help somebody.
“It’s about giving back and helping people in their time of need.”
With Casey’s second unit set to roll-out in Cranbourne, the SES eagerly seeks new members.
They gain accredited training and expertise in general rescue and emergency operations.
To share a message of thanks to VICSES volunteers, get on Twitter and Facebook and use the hashtag #thankyouSES and #WOWday.
