4/12/2012 – Flood Rescue Course

Recently Metro SES ran a Flood Boat rescue Course out of our new unit. This course can be quite competitive as there is a minimum of 3 courses that must be completed prior to completing this course. This year we had, 2 x Mandurah SES, 2 x Canning/South Perth SES, 1 x Armadale SES, and 4 x Belmont SES. We also had a new Instructor from Belmont under assessment.

This course is not easy with the first 2 full days being theory based. Although sometimes mind-numbing, it is a necessary part all students must learn before being allowed to drive vessels and conduct rescues. However you will see from the photos below that the instructors try their best to make the lessons more hands on and fun.

The next 2 days are spent on the water. First day upstream Guildford where students practice their slow speed, small area negotiating. They also conduct basic search and rescue operations. The last day is out on Melville Waters, where they undertake a series of obstacle courses and slalom courses to test their high speed manoeuvrability. This tests the limits of the students, but is also an important stage in identifying the limitations of each vessel. They also conduct towing, technical manoeuvres and rescues.

After 4 intense day, 7 students were found successful, with the further two requiring a little more practice in some areas to complete the course. Congrats to all the students. Additionally congrats to John Saffrey for doing an excellent job as an instructor and passing his own assessment.

 

 

 

 

 

15/9/2012 – Quick Moving Floodies

Saturday the Flood Rescue Trained members headed out on the water for some continuaton training, to ensure their skills are being maintained. Joined by three Canning/South Perth members, we headed for Pullman Park, Upper Swan. We have never used this area for training before, but the instructors believed it was a different area to get us out of our comfort zone.

Engaging 4wd the training commenced with a steep decline down to a muddy area. We refreshed our memories with terminology before mixing our General Rescue and Flood Rescue techniques to launch the boats (below photo)

 

 

With the boats launched, we set off for some practice manoeuvring in moving water in our smaller boats. 

Practiced our Pinning drills – although we had to think outside the box here. Here are the goys contemplating their options. (below)

We got to play in Cannings Boat aswell, and have a bit of fun in the beautiful sun.

 

Overall it was a good day 🙂

 

 

27/8/2012 – Funeral for member Robert Bell

is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of our Stores Member Robert Bell on Monday 20th August 2012.

Robert Joined the Belmont SES in 2003 where he was a dedicated member of the Stores and Logistics Section. A quiet one, but always active and keen to help out where ever he could. He will be truly missed by everyone in the unit.

Family and friends are warmly invited to a Service to help celebrate his life to be held in Seasons Funerals Chapel, 8 Hehir St, Belmont on MONDAY (27.8.2012) commencing at 3:00pm.

20/8/2012 – Membership Photos

As part of annual tradition we all got together for our unit photos last night.

Its the first lot of photos in our new unit aswell.

 

Whole of Unit Photo

 

Rescue Team 1

 

Rescue Team 2

 

 Operations, Stores and Comms Sections

 

 

 

 

 

15/6/2012 – Major Metro June Storms

On the 7th June, the Metropolitan Area faced an abnormal weather event, with destructive winds in excess of 120km/hr tearing a path of destruction through residential areas.

Residents have described the terror of a destructive tornado which ripped through Dianella and Morley, flattening powerlines and leaving a trail of damage. 5 Houses were deemed uninhabitable. By 8pm that night the State Emergency Services had received over 80 Requests for Assistance, with more coming in. From there the weather didn’t get any better, which saw several busy days for us, cleaning up the remnants of that original Thursday storm, another on Sunday afternoon and again on the Tuesday.

This abnormal weather has caused alot of damage and required the assistance of several resources.

The statistics are:

  • Over 1400 Requests for Assistance
  • Over 350 personnel involved
  • At least 7 different volunteer services – SES, Bushfire, Fire and Rescue, Marine Rescue, Salvation Army, St Johns, Emergency Services
  • 2 Career groups from FESA – Career Fire and Rescue and Urban Search and Rescue Taskforce (USAR)
  • 25 SES volunteers flown over from South Australia
  • Assistance received from the Army and Navy through DACC (Defence Assistance to the Civil Community)
  • Activation of WANDRRA – WA Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements – see link for info  (http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au/stateemergencymanagement/grantsandrecovery/wandrra/Pages/default.aspx)
  • Other Services in attendance such as Police and Western Power

Belmont SES alone had several teams assisting from Dianella to Mandurah over the last week since the storm occurred. Belmont SES initially sent 1 team out the Thursday afternoon, with a secondary team following them later that afternoon. The first job we attended was on Valentine st, at which point the destruction was clearly evident. Team Leader Suzi Hayward states “We started at the corner and worked our way down the street, cleaning up as we went.”

Even the next day when teams were sent out to the same area it looked like a war zone with powerlines torn down, metal sheeting snagged in the lines, trees down and dozens of homes damaged.  At least on house has extensive roof damage, as a steel beam fell through the roof causing considerable structural damage to the property.

 This damage was seen again when teams were deployed to Rockingham to assist down there, with some huge trees pulling their roots causing structural damage to houses, or posing a risk to nearby properties.

Overall it was a large effort from of all of us to assist the other areas, whilst still maintaining a watch and completing jobs as received in our area.

FESA CEO Wayne Gregson thanked all emergency services personnel with a formal circular released acknowledging the hard work and efforts put in.

 

 

Above: Belmont SES Crews at work – source PerthNow

Below: Same house as above from skyview

 

 

13/5/2012 – Storm Damage Course

On the weekend of the 12/13 May we held a storm damage course at the new still empty building, working from our brand new rescue truck as well.

The course covered all the skills necessary to attend a Storm Damage incident including working safely at height, temporary repairs, basic building construction and roof safety systems.

Some people managed to overcome some fears and others had no problems walking on roofs but everyone worked together to achieve a common goal and conduct temporary repairs.

All in all the course was a great success and we now have 6 more trained members.

2/5/2012 – Car versus House

Kensington FRS called Belmont SES up for some assistance today for a Car Vs House. A Learner driver crashed into the front of a house in East Victoria Park this morning.

A police spokesman said the 47-year-old L-plater panicked and hit the accelerator instead of the brakes before smashing into the front of the house about 9am.

Marie Barnes, 80, said she was close to where the car crashed into the screen door.

“I had just got out of bed and was putting the phone back on the hook when the car arrived at the front door,” Mrs Barnes said. “It knocked down the front pillars, I’m insured but she’s not insured.”

Belmont SES assisted by propping the front patio and replacing roof tiles that had been dislodged on impact.

No one was injured in the accident.

 http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/13580179/learner-driver-crashes-into-house/

 

6/4/2012 – Tree vs House

Today we had a call out to help a resident with a tree that had fallen on her house. The tree was very dead and had been limbed back to the main trunk. Today was the day for it to fall over…

Gallery is empty!

20/2/2012 – New members & new gear

Last night saw an information session held at the unit for perspective members. Since before christmas we have had over 20 people register interest in becoming a member of the Belmont SES.

Everyone joins the SES for their own reasons, so last night we got together and discussed what we provide, expectations and processes to give the perspective members an overview of what we are all about.

With the night drawing to an end a total of 11 people signed documentation and took the first major step in joining the ranks of the Belmont/Victoria Park State Emergency Service.

The last induction was a huge success with 85% retention. 

In addition to that over the next 6 weeks we should be given 3 new sets of keys – 2 trucks are due to be delivered and our new premises is nearing completion. Something all members have been looking forward to.

Belmont SES – now recruiting

Belmont SES invites you to join us for our information night on the 20th February.

The Session will be held at our temporary unit located at 12 Hehir Street, Belmont. See the new unit tab at top for information on building progression of our new u-bewt premises. Starting time is 7.15 pm. Hope to see you there, but if you still have some questions about the SES then see the FAQ below.

FAQ

So why Volunteer?

Every year the SES receive 1000s of calls for assistance. SES volunteers are ‘ordinary people doing extraordinary things’. 

The role of SES volunteers is vital to the safety of people, properties and communities in times of emergency and disaster. SES volunteers are people who care about their communities and are not paid for the great work they do. Whether helping people after a storm or natural disaster, assisting at a road crash, searching for a missing person, responding to a range of other incidents, SES members are there when their community needs them most. Belmont SES specialises in Flood Rescue and Airport Response.

How to volunteer?

Belmont SES trains every Monday night from 7-9.30 pm. At the information night we can tell you all about the SES what we provide, what we do and what you get out of it.

Who can join the SES?

There is a role for everyone – people from all walks of life and who are super-fit or of average health. Everyone can learn new skills and make their own contribution.

 If you have any questions please feel free to give us a call on                        040 864 4009