The new initiative, ‘Volunteering Reimagined’, has been launched and allows more flexibility as well as different options for people to get involved with the service.

SES Tenterfield unit commander Richard Dennison said this new program taps into the wide range of skills within the local community.

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“The purpose of ‘Volunteering Reimagined’ is to broaden the capability of the NSW SES in Tenterfield and provide more opportunities for people to join us,” Mr Dennison said.

“More people are wanting to help their communities but often feel they can’t because they are time-poor or believe they do not have the physical capabilities to do some of the emergency tasks that the NSW SES often responds to. 

“As part of this new initiative we have introduced three new categories of volunteering in addition to our existing Unit members.” 

He said these new categories of volunteers include Community Action Team (CAT) members, corporate volunteers and spontaneous volunteers.

“CAT members will be a group of people or individuals who join a designated Community Action Team and can be tied to a geographical area or a specific functional role.

“Spontaneous volunteers will be those individuals who provide assistance to the NSW SES in a temporary way, usually in response to large disasters, while corporate volunteers will be employees of companies that have partnered with our organisation and the employer will provide volunteer leave for their workers to contribute to the NSW SES.

Mr Dennison said they had also made changes to their existing volunteer membership policies to allow greater flexibility in how these members volunteer their time with the SES.

“So it doesn’t matter whether you have a few hours or a few days to spare each year, you can get involved with the NSW SES and you don’t necessarily have to be out in the elements battling Mother Nature,” he said.

“Whether you’re doing those front-line roles or providing assistance in a supporting role like managing logistics or finances, intelligence gathering, media liaison or community engagement, there is a place for you with the NSW SES.

“With the storm season upon us, there has never been a better time to volunteer with the NSW SES. Whatever your background, location and skill-set, there is a place for you to join us,” he said.