You may or may not be aware, that the NSW SES are currently maintaining flood response operations for multiple communities throughout NSW. This flooding is likely to be impacting communities for at least the next 6-8 weeks. This prolonged flooding event, the continued wetter than average summer, along with full dams and wet catchments has increased the likelihood of increased operational response across multiple zones within the SES structure.

Due to the length and geographic spread of the SES Flood Campaign response SES resources are extremely stretched,  resulting in a request for assistance for SLSNSW support being received.

Request for Assistance Details:

Location

Deployment of SLSNSW personnel will be to communities in Western NSW (venues TBC). It is highly probable that staging locations may change to meet operational requirements. These locations will be communicated and organised by NSW SES.  

What will SLSNSW involvement include?

Supporting with movement of community members in isolated communities, community resupply, and Search Operations (where required). It should be noted that it is unlikely that SLSNSW will be tasked to Rescue Operations due to specialised training and qualifications required for this role. SLSNSW will support SES personnel for flood rescue operations in both IRB’s and SES vessels.

Length of Deployment

There are 2 proposed deployment timeframes proposed by NSW SES, the approach SLSNSW provides will be decided based on volunteers’ responses to the EOI Survey.
          1) 1 Day travel / 3 days Operations / 1 Day Travel (Total 5 days), or
          2) 1 Day travel / 5 days Operations / 1 Day Travel (Total 7 days)

Deployment Teams Structure

SLSNSW volunteers will be deployed in teams covering the following roles:

• IRB Crew & Drivers
• UAV Operator(s)
• Duty Officer to act as Forward Incident Commander/ SLS Liaison

Training requirements

• SLSNSW volunteers will be appointed to deployment teams, based on their (proficient) SLSNSW qualification to meet the above-mentioned roles within the deployed teams structure.  
• SLSNSW members will be required to complete a basic online Flood Awareness training module, prior to deployment.

Logistics

• Members will deploy from SLSNSW HQ (Belrose, Sydney) in a SLSNSW HQ provided 4WD.
• If required flights will be organised for members to travel to Sydney. Where direct flights to a location is required/available, it MAY be possible to organise direct flights to that location.
• Accommodation and Meals will be provided by NSW SES (facilitated by SLSNSW).  
• Minimum PPE shall be always worn, SLSNSW will work with personnel prior to deployment to ensure that this is maintained/provided.

Note: Members will be required to be Fully Vaccinated to meet SES COVID-19 operating protocols.

SLSNSW are keen to gain an understanding of our volunteers’ ability to assist the NSW SES with operational support. We are requesting that Support Operations members and Club Call Out Teams provide their availability via the following SLSNSW Statewide Availability Survey. It should be noted that SLSNSW have not guaranteed support to the NSW SES, and that any indications of availability do not guarantee deployment.

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