Baulkham Hills SES to the rescue in WA

Evelyn Lester is thanked Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett.

Baulkham Hills State Emergency Service volunteers don’t just help Hills residents with flood and storm emergencies.

In recent weeks, volunteers have traveled around the country, helping after spates of declared natural disasters like the devastating hailstorms in Victoria and Western Australia, and the prolonged flooding in outback NSW.

Baulkham Hills local controller Evelyn Lester flew across to Perth to help the local emergency services with the extreme hail damage which battered the state in April.

“The WA people were very grateful for the Eastern states’ assistance as this was the first major hailstorm to hit WA,” Mrs Lester said.

“Residents were very surprised by the severity of the storm and by the relatively short time it took for the destruction to happen.”

Volunteers John Leotta, David Jenkins and Jim Wilson were part of the first task force from the three Sydney SES regions sent down to Victoria to help when gale force winds, hail stones and heavy rains caused widespread flooding and structural damage.

“The scenario we were met with interstate was your typical storm damage of trees on roofs, and broken roof tiles from hail stones,” Mr Leotta said.

“There was a strong sense of camaraderie with the coming together of SES teams from other states. It was a very rewarding experience with the gratitude shown by the people we helped.”

Mrs Lester also went down to Victoria as part of the second task force.

“Hailstorms of this severity are also a rarity in Melbourne,” she said.

Team leader Damian Hofman has also been sharing his skills with the NSW community, traveling to Bourke to help with floodwater rescue.

The areas of Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett have been declared natural disasters following ongoing flooding which is expected to last well into May.

Many people have been isolated by the floodwater, and Mr Hofman was part of a team of highly trained volunteers on standby for flood rescue.

“It’s great to be able to share the skills we have learned in times of natural disaster, wherever that may be,” he said.

For emergency assistance with flood and storm damage anywhere in Australia, call the SES on 132 500.

Source: whereilive