jond

Hi

I am thinking of joining my local SES as they are very short on volunteers.

Does anybody know anyone in there local unit and do they enjoy it.

Thanks.

John

Pollyana

Its extremely rewarding, lots of skills to learn, lots of opportunity to use them. Just be prepared to turn out at odd hours - sometimes for protracted jobs, but the knowledge that you are helping people in distress in really satisfying.

If you contact your local unit they probably run something similar to Queensland, where you can go along and visit a few meetings/training sessions before you commit yourself.

jond

Thanks for your reply.

I have applied for further info as it looks pretty rewarding and a good way to help out my local community

BadgeIsBack

I'll be really honest. Join a volunteer fire brigade eg CFA!! (I'm partly taking the piss here now).

Up to a point, the SES get all the crap jobs, sticking roofs back on houses, standing around in gales and rain and are probably there long after we've gone, having homeowners whine at them. I would be interested in the 'rescue' element they do (from cars) - in major MVAs (Motor Vehicle Accidents) - they cut em out, we put the fire out - but we get there first as the first on scene unit. If you are interested in Rescue there is also CFA Rescue (in VIC). There is alot of rivalry between the SES and CFA rescue as they do the same job and often get responded at the same time.

We get all the interesting frontline stuff, firefighting, first on scene, working with the cops, (often doing the cops job for them - if its raining they like to sit in their patrol cars), we're basically the 3rd Emergency Service - people see us often as a bush fire thing, but that is a fraction of what we do - we even get to go to siege situations and the like. That was a good one!

After the medics turn up (MVA - persons injured), and the towies (MVA - persons not injured), or the util company (power lines down) turns up, we go home to tea and medals whilst the SES are still buggering around.

Also, let's be honest, chicks much prefer firies over SES.

I concede the SES bright orange overalls are a tad better than our yellow ones, but by the time we've got our structural jackets on, I reckon we'd get the girls heart's racing quicker...don't see why myself, but girls like all the baggy stuff.

cheers

B

BadgeIsBack

Just seen the SES site. They have sexy little pictures of people in boats and abseiling down cliffs but these will be specialists.

Most of the specialising you will be doing is standing around wet and cold wondering where your next cup of tea is coming from.

C F A mate - Victorian Firefighter.

Pollyana

If you join up though, you do get the chance to learn the vertical rescue and floodboat skills

(and yes, I have a vested interest in them, just as much as Badge has in the CFA - I work for Emergency Management Qld, who do the SES Admin stuff!)

BadgeIsBack

Good on ya Pauline.

jond

Thanks for the slightly biased reply do the have any age limits in the CFA as I am not a kid anymore.
I fancy the SES as I think my experence as a panel beater and an insurance assessor might come in handy when dealing with MVA, also I might get a chance to mess around in boats.

John

BadgeIsBack

No, we have seriously old people in our brigade. Luckily us 'young'
blokes can handle the physical stuff - they often do the radios etc.

If panel beating allows you to cut open cars efficiently then that's a good skill set. The SES do have serious tools which they lay out on the ground. Makes the dentist look like he's playing.

Often fancied nicking one. Wouldn't know how to use it though.

jond

I can cut them up into little bits and I look at about 10 damaged vehicles every day at work.

hindon

i have been a firefighter in uk for 14 years.
do many vacancys come up in the fire service in oz.
we are looking to move to the brisbane area next year.

renth

I reckon the Bush Fire Brigade tops SES anyday. Sure you learn loads of skills in the SES but you do in the fire brigade too.

The fire brigade does more exciting stuff, like go to massive bush fires and guess who is driving the bus to get us to the firebase? the SES, guess who is cooking our lunch? the SES (the Salvos also help out with the catering too).

Don't get me wrong, I have enormous respect for the SES despite the big rivalry, but I'd rather be fighting bush fires than putting tarps on some old codgers roof that's just blown off in a storm.

jond

Badge should be able to help with that, but it does appear that most services are short on volunteers

renth

Wanneroo brigade now has a waiting list. You need to join the support brigade and wait for a spot to come up in the fire brigade. I reckon the Support brigade must be just about full now too.

The Chief Bush Fire Control Officer uses this to keep us all on our toes.

hindon

what is a support brigade, is it like retained in the uk?
are the brigades full time or on call in brisbane?