Life-saving capability on show

The extraordinary tasks undertaken by everyday residents were on show during a State Emergency Service demonstration day at Tambar Springs.

Unit deputy commander Robyn Styles said the unit capability exercise showed “what we do” to the broader community.

Many activities included ‘hands-on’ demonstrations which proved a hit with visiting children taking part.

The mock flood rescue required community participants to simulate paddling to a person in distress and retrieving them with rope and other equipment.

The land search was replicated with a scavenger hunt; urban rescue was replaced with a covered maze to simulate confined space access; meanwhile industrial and domestic rescue were simulated a child’s head stuck in a pool fence and another person trapped under a ride-on lawn mower.

There were also dedicated demonstration on first-aid, radio communications and road crash rescue.

SES members from Gunnedah, Tamworth, Manilla and the Liverpool Plains travelled to assist at the Tambar Springs demonstrations which also served as a recruiting tool for the local branch.

Tambar Springs unit commander John Ceissman said the unit features about 10 active members but usually only about half are available for incident response.

Making their task more challenging is an ageing volunteer workforce.

“Five of our members are over 70 years,” Mr Ceissman said – a volunteer with three decades’ SES experience.

Another long-time member is Phillip Whillock who recently ticked over 36 years with the SES.

The Bundella farmer is also one of three Community First Responders (CFRs) at Tambar Springs.

The specialist role involves providing first aid on scene at an advanced level until professional first aid arrives.

Mr Whillock said Tambar Springs was just the second SES unit in the state to become CFR certified – Nundle being the first.

Over the years Tambar’s CFRs have responded to major road crashes, farming accidents as well as health emergencies such as strokes, cardiac arrests and the occasional birth – the response vehicle even carries a dedicated ‘maternity kit’ for such purpose.

Fellow Tambar Springs volunteer, Doug Boulter, has been with the unit for only 12 months but comes with much experience interstate including 23 years with the Victorian SES and 10 years with the state’s road crash rescue unit.

After some time working in Queensland, the carpenter is now building his new home on a 10-acre block near Tambar Springs.

Mr Boulter said the volunteer role is a natural progression for him given his family traditions.

“I like helping out,” he said.

“I’m following in my father’s footsteps.

“It’s in the blood.”

Deputy commander Robyn Styles said “there is something for everyone” at the SES with many varied roles available including on-the-ground, operational support and community awareness.

“We’re all volunteers too, we understand people have lives,” Ms Styles said.

“We just want to share the load.”