NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) has sent 46 of its members to Victoria today (Monday 1 November) to assist with the response to the severe storm that impacted the state late last week.
Each of the two NSW SES strike teams will consist of five teams of four and they will work from tomorrow (Tuesday 2 November) through till Thursday (4 November) before heading home on Friday.
NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said she was only too happy to help VIC SES in its hour of need, especially after the support it provided during the major flooding in March this year.
“We are always happy to support our neighbours across the border, just as they have been willing to help us,” Commissioner York said.
“We have more than forty members that specialise in responding to storm damage and they will be able to support the members of VICSES to help their communities,” she said.
Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers have been working diligently since last week following the storm, responding to 7,700 emergency calls for help.
As of midday today, 335 emergency calls for assistance still remained active, many of those remaining are on the Mornington Peninsula, which saw the brunt of this storm event and include large and complex roof incidents.
Some of the busiest VICSES units have been Frankston (704 calls for help), Sorrento (463) and Narre Warren (404).
Quotes attributable to Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp:
“Another incredible effort from VICSES volunteers, all our emergency services and local government who continue to support communities impacted by Thursday’s storm.”
“Thank you to NSW SES for stepping up and providing additional support to the Victoria SES and to our communities.”
Quotes attributable to VICSES Chief Officer Operations, Tim Wiebusch:
“It’s been an incredible response to a significant storm and such a large number of calls for help.
“I’m really proud of the work our VICSES volunteers have done and continue to do to assist so many people with great support from our partner agencies.
To have some additional capacity from NSW SES to complement our crews will be really valuable with potential further inclement weather on the way from Wednesday.”
