Lachlan Region SES volunteers took their training to a whole new level in Forbes last weekend.
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Volunteers from Forbes, Parkes and Condobolin did their vertical rescue training in Forbes at Red Bend Silos.
The group learned how to complete a rescue from the top of the silos, removing someone as if injured via stretcher.
Lachlan region controller Nichole Richardson said the training was an opportunity to train six new volunteers, including two from Forbes, and upskill others.
While the SES hasn’t recently been called to any situations where these skills were required, Ms Richardson said the emergency service liked to be prepared.
NSW SES utilises rope based rescue systems to rescue persons or animals from a variety of heights and depth settings.
“Vertical rescue is one of the capabilities we try to maintain and silos are an identified risk,” Ms Richardson said. “It is better to be prepared and it is a highly technical skill.”
Ms Richardson added that the Lachlan SES is always looking for more volunteers.
They have roles ranging from the challenge of something like vertical rescue training to community liaison and communications.
“We have a new volunteering model which is more flexible in the way people volunteer,” she said.
“It’s about local people supporting local response. In the flood, a lot of community members responded … we would love to have them on board, to build capability.”
The local SES also currently has volunteers training in storm and water damage, which includes property protection like sandbagging, tarping a roof and debris removal.
For more information visit www.ses.ses.nsw.gov.au
October 1 saw the start of the summer storm season and the SES is encouraging everyone to understand the risks of what can be severe storms.
They have lots of information online at stormsafe.com.au to help people prepare to protect their family and property from storm impacts.
Their top tips include: secure or store items in your yard or balcony that could blow around in strong winds; clean your gutters, downpipes and drains to prevent blockages; trim trees and branches that could fall on your home or property; fix any damage to your roof; check your insurance policy; plan what you would do in an emergency and prepare a kit in case you lose power or need to leave home in an emergency.
