Springvale State Emergency Service volunteers are appealing to the
adventurous and community service spirits in Greater Dandenong residents. The SESis holding a recruitment night on 4 September at SES headquarters behind Springvale Town Hall from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The SES provides
emergency support during natural and man-made emergencies. Springvale SES volunteers shared their stories with the Star reporter Shaun Inguanzo to
illustrate how being a part of the excitement has changed their lives.
To learn more about Springvale SES phone 9558 5811.
LISA Pountney has experienced more in her two years with Springvale SES than most 22-year-olds could even imagine.
She says her psychological strength has grown a thick skin after numerous rescues.
A close friend recommended the sushi chef try the SES after she had thoughts of volunteering for community service.
“I went down for an information night and haven’t looked back since,” she said.
“We do quite a variety of jobs including searches, assisting Victoria Police, including providing lighting for booze buses.
“But our main role is to help the community during storms, strong winds and floods.
“And, according to our training video, we help out during earthquakes, too.”
Ms Pountney said the camaraderie among SES volunteers also made the experience a socially rewarding one.
She added that the training program had helped her develop mental toughness to cope with confronting situations such as trees crashing through houses and many of life’s other disasters.
“I have seen things that the general public would never have seen unless they are emergency service workers,” she said.
Ms Pountney encouraged people of all ages to attend the Springvale SES’s information night.
“I would say come down and take a look and if doesn’t interest you then maybe volunteering is not your sort of thing.
“But never knock something until you’ve tried it.”
EVAN Davies can be found on water at the Melbourne Grand Prix.
The Springvale SES volunteer is the coxswain of a rescue boat across Albert Park Lake that is often the fastest route to transport a patient from one side of the track to paramedics.
But after 18 years of SES service, the Grand Prix gig is the tip of the iceberg for Mr Davies.
The 36-year-old has been in search parties for lost children, flown to New South Wales to help repair hail-storm damage and, in the process, has loved every minute of his SES work.
“It’s because of the community support that you get a sense of satisfaction,” he said.
“It’s a good feeling and you can go home being happy knowing that you actually helped somebody that day.”
Mr Davies said a friend who volunteered for the Phillip Island SES first sparked his interest in the emergency service.
“I then found a local unit and originally I was with Waverley before later transferring to Springvale.”
Mr Davies said being an SES volunteer was rewarding but required dedication.
“I am now used to being on call 24 hours a day, for 365 days of the year.
“And, of course, 366 days in a leap year.”
IF A train bombing ever happens in Springvale then Geoff Crook would be well equipped with the knowledge of how to coordinate a rescue.
That is because Mr Crook was part of a joint training effort between the state’s emergency services prior to the Melbourne Commonwealth Games in March.
“We had a simulated train bombing and had police and fire brigades and everyone else involved,” he said.
“It was basically about trying to get everybody off the trains and up into safety.
“I had a lot of fun that night.”
At 37-years-old Mr Crook said he had a ‘little spare time’ to kill, so he joined the SES just 18 months ago.
“We do so many different jobs,” he said.
“We even operate coffee stops during holiday periods along highways, so you don’t have to be young and overly fit to help out the SES.”
By day Mr Crook is a locksmith and security guard.
Any other time he is an SES volunteer.
“I’ve been out to a few motor vehicle accidents, and I remember one where a truck went through a house,” he said.
Mr Crook said volunteering was in his blood, but he still had time for his career and family despite being an SES volunteer.
