Given the number of Rivers Unit members who have joined the ranks of the paid emergency services since being an SES volunteer (there’s been about 5 in two years), it would seem that the SES can be somewhat of an inspiration and an important stepping stone in someone seeking to become a police officer, a firie or even an ambo.

 

And really, when you stop to think that about it, it’s perhaps not really that surprising. The SES has multiple uses and we never know what the next job is going to be. So we need to be jacks of all trade, and of course master of some too. We are required to be very broadly skilled and to think well and truly outside the box. No two jobs are ever the same.

 

In the SES, some of the skills that can be acquired include: general rescue (everything from building improvised rescue frames to basic USAR to fire extinguishers to hydraulics), storm damage, flood diversion, radio communications, 4Wding, working with trailers, chain-sawing, casualty handling, first aid, flood boat rescue, leadership, training and assessment, lateral thinking, team work, manual handling, incident management, risk management, client liaison, negotiation, conflict resolution and unit administration and management - and that’s not even all of them! While some of our skills are not necessarily at the technical level required by future employers in the emergency response field, it can’t be argued that they are certainly an excellent start!

 

So long as aspiring police officers, firies and ambos, who want to join the ranks of the SES, understand that their relationship with the SES needs to be two-way relationship, and that it’s not okay to join the SES simply to get the ‘SES’ name on their CV, then it can be a very fruitful partnership. If would-be frogs, spark chasers and coppers are willing and able to fully commit to the SES for a time and contribute their bit as well as learn, it may stand them in good stead for a future job with the paid emergency services.