SES volunteers undergo storm and water damage training in Port Macquarie ahead of Summer season

They’ve been put through their paces in recent weeks – ahead of what’s tipped to be a particularly challenging season.

NSW Storm and Flood Damage Volunteer:

Storm preparation and response is one of the core duties of NSW SES.

Every area of NSW is susceptible to damaging storm activity. Storms are the most costly natural disaster ahead of floods and bushfire.

On average storms cause $196 million of damage each year.

This is nearly 10 times that caused by bushfires.

The most expensive natural disaster in Australian history was the April 1999 hailstorm in Sydney, which caused over $4 billion in insured and uninsured damage.

What's involved in this role?

NSW SES volunteers can be trained in storm preparation and response undertaking many different activities like:

Storm Preparation:   

* Working with their local community to raise awareness of storm risks

* Working with the media to promote storm awareness and safety

* Developing local community education programs and activities on storm safety

* Organising local displays on storm awareness

* Delivering or assisting with presentations and talks to local community members on storm awareness, safety, preparedness and response

* Assisting with the development and delivery of local StormSafe resources

* Doorknocking or letterbox dropping of information and resources for the local community

* Maintaining storm response equipment

* Maintaining storm response skills through training

* Training and assessing other volunteers with storm response skills

Video By | Marina Trajkovich