Pimpama SES

Queensland State Emergency Service

South East District

Gold Coast Unit

Pimpama Group

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is the SES?

The SES is a volunteer based organisation that is designed to empower people to help themselves and others in their community in times of emergency and disaster.

2. What does the SES do?

The SES becomes involved in preparing for and responding to many different types of disasters and emergencies such as cyclones, floods, severe storms, earthquakes, cliff rescues, landslides and searches for missing persons.

3. How does the SES get funding?

The State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer organisation, established by an Act of Parliament in 1975 which states that every local authority in Queensland is responsible for maintaining SES Units within their communities. As such, the SES obtains funding from the local authority with some assistance from the state government. The SES also receives income from donations and sponsorships.

4. Who can join the SES?

Any Queenslander aged over 16 years can become an SES Volunteer. There is a role for everyone - young people, older adults, men and women, people who are super-fit, people of average health and people with disabilities. Everyone can learn new skills and make their own contribution.

5. How much does it cost?

Cash? Zero. Commitment? Plenty! All Volunteers are provided with complete protective clothing. There are no joining fees. All education and training programs are provided free of charge. Equipment is provided. If you are injured in any way whilst on an SES activation or at training, you will be fully covered by Workers Compensation.

6. What would I be expected to do?

It depends where you live, how much time you can offer, and how much training you are prepared to undertake. SES volunteers are called out to a wide range of activations from assisting police in the search for a missing person to performing a vertical rescue of a bushwalker fallen over a cliff or from putting tarpaulins on houses unroofed by severe storms to conducting a public education display at your local show. You will never be compelled to take part in an activation or to undergo training in something of which you are afraid or dislike.

7. What could I learn?

SES Members receive training in first aid, map reading and navigation, communications, general rescue, storm damage response, land search techniques, floadboat operations, chainsaw operations, vertical rescue and more.

8. How can I join?

Contact Us and arrange to come along to a training night, meet the team, see what happens and ask lots of questions. If you decide to join the SES you will need to complete an application form which you can obtain from the Group Leader.