State Emergency Services (SES)

The Western Australian State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer based division of the Department Fire and Emergency Services  of Western Australia. It plays a key role in countering the effects of natural and man-made emergencies.

Mission

To assist the community to cope with natural or man-made emergencies.

Functions

• To raise, train and equip a volunteer based emergency service.
• To be the 'Hazard Management Agency' for flood, cyclone, storm, earthquake and tsunami.
• To be a 'Combat Authority' for land search, vehicle rescue (in specified areas), cliff / cave rescue and civil defence.
• To act in a support role to other hazard management agencies.
• To support emergency management committees at State, Regional and Local level.
• To act in support of the police in tasks acceptable to the volunteers but excluding those where it is likely that offenders will be present.

When a natural disaster strikes - a storm, cyclone, earthquake, or flood - State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers can be found assisting the communities and get them back to normal.  SES provides a wide range of services to help cope with the effects of natural disasters - from emergency repairs on houses and building buildings, to restoration of essential services.

But responding to the effects of natural disasters is only part of SES' responsibility. Volunteers also carry out land search (which can involve tracker dogs and horse-back searchers) and cliff and cave rescues. Our volunteers have also assisted in air search observation. In remote areas where Fire and Rescue Service is unavailable, SES volunteers are responsible for the difficult task of extricating people from vehicles involved in road crashes.

SES is a large team and many volunteers work behind the scenes as radio or computer operators, in administration or incident control, planning and logistics. During prolonged incidents, SES volunteers can even provide catering services.  Equally important is the safety education role of SES. Volunteers actively promote prevention and preparation measures in visits to service groups, senior centres and homes, local business and schools.

About the SESVA

The State Emergency Service Volunteers Association inc. (SESVA)  is a non-operational organisation.  Our mission is to:

•      To provide an independent and representative body;
•      To promote and communicate knowledge and information;
•      To provide an effective voice for volunteers of the State Emergency Service Volunteers in WA;

To Contact the SES

Call 132 500 from anywhere in Western Australia  for emergency SES assistance in a flood or storm. It is the same cost as a local call in WA  (mobiles may be higher). SES volunteers are on call 24 hours a day to provide emergency assistance if you or your property is affected by a flood or storm. 

When you call 132 500 a trained call taker will note the details and dispatch an SES Unit to the incident.