The new headquarters of the NSW State Emergency Service’s (SES) Metro Zone has been officially opened in Rhodes.
Located above the Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre, the facility will coordinate emergency responses to storms and floods in Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
SES Commissioner Carlene York said the facility is purpose-built for more than 120 emergency services personnel.
“The Metro Zone headquarters is equipped with a specialist flood rescue cell that has been designed to distribute information and intelligence widely, and mobilise teams in the field,” Commissioner York said.
“This will provide greater support to our thousands of volunteers based in Units across Greater Sydney and the Blue Mountains who work tirelessly to protect their own communities as well as many others across our State.
“The new Metro Zone headquarters is a major investment into operational resourcing and has already seen the SES through thick and thin, including the recent successive weather events.
“Having a custom-designed facility which can seamlessly transition from everyday operations to an Incident Control Centre has proven advantageous for us as the NSW SES continues to respond to unprecedented weather events.”
Commander of the SES Metro Zone Chief Superintendent Gregory Swindells said the headquarters have been successfully tried and tested on countless occasions.
“The Metro Zone Headquarters has swiftly become a well-oiled machine that oversees 4,500 volunteers who span across 42 local Units and 32 local government areas,” Chief Superintendent Swindells said.
“With more than 21,000 requests for assistance within the Metro Zone this year alone, I would like to thank our dedicated volunteers and staff who have carried out our mission of saving lives and creating safer communities.”
Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey, Assistant Commissioner Nicole Hogan, Commissioner Carlene York, Chief Superintendent Greg Swindells and Deputy Commissioner Damien Johnston at the official opening of the Metro Zone Headquarters
