Two new all-terrain vehicles including trailers will soon be joining the State Emergency Service’s fleet across Ipswich in a boost for volunteers who work to support residents in times of need.
Ahead of celebrating SES Week later this month, Ipswich City Council has secured more than $80,000 in State Government funding which will cover 75 per cent of costs for the new assets.
Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said the funding was a win for the Ipswich City SES Unit, its more than 220 volunteers, and the Ipswich community.
“Ipswich is experienced at handling our fair share of extreme weather, from exceptionally hot days in summer to the chilly depths of winter, along with increasingly severe disasters like floods and bushfires,” Cr Madden said.
“Our local SES volunteers play a crucial role in helping our community be resilient and prepared for these events, while also generously giving their time to respond to a range of emergencies 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, 365-days a year.
“SES volunteers cover thousands of kilometres to reach our community where and when they’re needed, so ensuring vehicles and equipment are fit for purpose is vital.
“Whether responding to disasters, conducting missing person searches, or supporting local community events, there are more than 5,000 Queensland SES volunteers state-wide that proudly keep our communities safe, with the best of the best found right here in Ipswich.”
Ipswich is one of 76 Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) units that is sharing in more than $3.7 million in funding for vehicle, equipment, and facility upgrades through the state government’s SES Support Grant Program. This program aims to provide financial assistance to local governments enabling the SES to respond to disasters and emergencies.
Last year, council secured more than $60,000 towards replacing two SES operational vehicles and a welfare trailer.
The trailer supports SES volunteers when they are deployed to rural areas, in large groups, or for operations that are likely to be protracted such as multi-day land or water searches, with the existing trailer more than 17 years old.
Cr Madden said it was never too early to start preparing for the next disaster season.
“Get Ready Week is coming up in October and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the help and support available at this time to prepare for another summer ahead,” Cr Madden said.
“In the meantime, keep an eye out for ways to get involved and celebrate our incredible volunteers as part of SES Week, underway from 24 to 31 August.
“Council will be recognising our local SES volunteers by lighting up 1 Nicholas Street and the Civic Centre in orange each evening during SES Week, to honour the hard work and outstanding efforts of the SES volunteers and staff across Queensland, and especially those here in Ipswich.”
Information about what to do before, during and after an emergency as well as access to the Ipswich Disaster Dashboard can all be found at Ipswich.qld.gov.au/getready
Do you have what it takes to become an SES volunteer? Find out more at SES.qld.gov.au/join-us