BY DI SNEDDON
Emergency coordination now has a new home in Singleton and while it is a State Emergency Services (SES) building, other emergency services are already claiming a chair at the table.
Police, paramedics and firefighters have already indicated they will use the space for training and are excited by the opportunities now available.
Covid interrupted the equipment move when the building was completed at the end of March and a grand opening in conjunction with the annual Emergency Services Expo was abruptly stopped.
The opening of the doors a month ago had no fanfare and volunteers went straight to work only now realising the potential for much improved emergency coordination leading into the future.
Brothers in SES arms, Tim and Simon Merrick both hold leadership positions in the organisation. Tim is the Unit Commander for Singleton and Simon is the Central Hunter Cluster Commander. Both are impressed with the new facility.
“This building has been purposely designed, the large room has concertina doors that can break up the space to accommodate emergency services, media and the local Emergency Management Office, there are wifi ports in the floor and all the technology you need,” Simon said.
Tim praised his brother’s initiative to make changes to the downstairs equipment area saying the higher mezzanine floor and wider roller doors allowed the space for emergency service vehicles to be hooked up to flood boats while parked allowing for a quicker response when needed.
Both applauded Singleton Council who funded more than $600,000 for the project in addition to the $260,000 state government funding.
“Hats off to Council, if we didn’t have their 100 per cent backing, this would never had happened and we are just so grateful,” Simon said.
“This facility really has future proofed Singleton SES in its capacity to cope with emergencies in the future,” he said.
It will also allow the local SES volunteer base to grow.
“We couldn’t attract more members because we just didn’t have the room but we do now,” Tim said.
The group trains every Wednesday night and is recruiting.
Training is from 7pm to 9pm.
Last week it started with knot tying practice before the team walked over to the levee bank to retrieve two vehicles from the river. The ropes required correct tying technique that have soon become second nature in the minds of those in rescue mode.
Both Tim and Simon admire the volunteers involved in the SES and said they are likeminded in that they want to help their community.
They also thanked their families and employers who support their SES duties.
“We couldn’t do what we do without this support,” Tim said.
Anyone thinking about volunteering for the organisation can find further details on the NSW SES website.
