4/6/2011 – Volunteers wielding chainsaws

With the winter season fast approaching, Belmont SES volunteers tested their chainsaw skills on the weekend.

With our new premises soon to commence construction, we decided it was a good chance to tidy up the bushland surrounding our future building. As the SES doesn’t actually fell trees (we leave the hard work to the professional contractors) , we practiced our techniques on fallen and dead timber found on the premises.

“It was a good refresher on our skills before winter.”  States Training Manager, Suzi Hayward. “During winter we get calls to a lot of properties damaged by uprooted trees or falling limbs damaged by strong winds.”

To prevent the SES having to visit your house after a storm, ensure your trees are trimmed back from buildings and especially from power lines. NEVER work around powerlines – leave that to the professionals. See Western Power for approved contractors.

24/5/2011 – Mini Tornado hits Canning Vale

A mini tornado hit Canning Vale on the 24th May at about 8am.  Approximately 18 homes within the area of Bengalla Street Canning Vale received damage to houses or property. Another 4 houses in the City of Gosnells also received damage. Belmont SES was amongst many units that responded to this incident.

Six houses suffered major damage from the storm including collapsed carports, patios torn from the property, partially damaged roof tops, as well as problems with power after patio sheeting got caught in power lines. Houses a few hundred metres away also experienced damage from flying debris. 36 volunteers in 6 teams contributed 300 hours to assist residents within the City of Gosnells.

State Emergency Service (SES) rescue teams from Armadale, Belmont, Canning and Kalamunda assisted the Gosnells SES unit. The SES was also supported by the City of Gosnells, Salvation Army, Western Power, FESA and the Department for Child Protection, which allowed the SES volunteers to focus on effecting temporary repairs to houses.