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…

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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

 

21/1/2012 – Carnarvon Deployment

Two volunteers from the Belmont SES have been deployed up North to drive 4wds. A fire North-east of Carnarvon has been burning since the 27th December, and has currently burnt through almost 500,000 hectares.

Thursday saw one of our volunteers Damian Allard deployed, and today Kyle Ellice was also deployed. Both leave their jobs and family behind for 7 days to assist those fighting the fires, working in extreme heat and exhaustion.

Both will be working to deliver food and water to the hungry firefighters on the frontline, which could involve quite some travel with a fire perimeter close to 800kms.

Have a look at the map below courtesy of DEC.

carnarvon_map_21012012

The boys have also been joined by 6 other SES volunteers from across the Metro Area.

Good luck to all the responders up there!

23/12/2011 – New Unit nearing completion

I dropped in to have a look at the new premises today and they are looking good.

Fences are up, brickwork complete, doors locked and roller doors closed and its all look promising. Not long and we will be moving in.

Photos have been updated on the website.

6/12/2011 – Flood Rescue Training

After students completed the mandatory prerequisite of a swim test,  it was time for the training to begin.

Saturday and Sunday saw the floodies under assessment conduct flood rescue theory and land based practicals. This included reliving their childhood, using bathtime boats to practice the rules of the water.

Once this was mastered the crews set out for Guildford on Monday. The beautiful weather helped add to a successful day!

But the weather wasn’t as good on Tuesday when we had to recover the vessels early after a storm front started to move in on us out on Melville waters. An early finish, which meant the assessments were incomplete. But an excuse to take the boats back out on the water another…… warmer day!

 

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