READY TO RESCUE: Orange State Emergency Service volunteer John Rapley said new flood rescue equipment received through state government funding would help keep them safer during rescues. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0819sgses1
ORANGE State Emergency Service (SES) received new flood rescue equipment yesterday thanks to funding received from this year’s state budget.
SES crews across the state received $96 million over five years as part of a strategic disaster readiness package, including funds for equipment and fleet purchase.
Orange SES volunteers received four flood rescue kits, which included a personal flotation device, location beacon, throw ropes, a victim life jacket and torpedo rescue device.
Orange SES deputy controller Rob Hines said the area had a history of flash flooding and this new equipment would allow volunteers to perform rescues under safer conditions.
“At the end of the day, at the end of the job we all want to go home,” he said.
Mr Hines said their older personal location beacons were not as accurate as the new ones, only able to locate a lost volunteer within a five square kilometre area, compared to three square metres.
“The beacon flashes and beeps and sends a signal to a satellite to help locate the volunteer,” he said.
SES central west region controller Craig Ronan said half of the state government funding would go towards the SES acquiring their fleet across the state.
Mr Ronan said the Orange SES’s fleet of three trucks was currently owned 50/50 by council and the SES, but the aim was for the SES to own all operational vehicles.
“If we own our own fleet it will take the burden off local councils,” he said.
Mr Hines said the funding could lead to Orange City Council being reimbursed for money they had put into purchasing SES vehicles in Orange.
“It’s still early days but we’re sitting down with council talking about it,” he said.
More flood rescue equipment will be coming in the future.
nadine.morton@ruralpress.com
