October 4, 2015
While most people spent the October long weekend relaxing and enjoying the warm Spring weather, thirty SES volunteers sacrificed their Saturday to sweat it out in bushland instead.
SES members from Kingaroy, Nanango, Blackbutt, Proston, Murgon, Gympie, Boreen Point and Caloundra met at Michael Carroll’s property in Kingaroy to sharpen their chainsaw and polesaw skills and retain (or attain) their accreditation in using these tools.
SES crews are the lead agency in the use of chainsaws and polesaws when they receive requests for assistance following storm damage and floods.
The exercise brought many of the region’s volunteers together to practise their skills and techniques under the watchful eyes of several instructors.
At the same time as the chainsaw operators were practicing their skills, other volunteers were attaining their re-accreditation in Height Safety – a requirement so they can engage in roof work and tarping.
Teams were put through their paces on a training tower as well as on the ground.
“Having SES members from throughout the South Burnett upskilled means the community can be assured of qualified and competent help in times of emergency or storm,” Kingaroy SES leader Peter Verbakel said.
“All volunteers performed well, and we’re very grateful to Michael Carroll for allowing the SES to use his property for these training activities.”
[Photos: Peter Verbakel]
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