SES funding helps boost Moreton Bay in times of emergency
Published 19 June 2024
Moreton Bay’s award-winning State Emergency Service (SES) Unit has been rewarded for years of invaluable service with nearly $400,000 worth of funding from the State Government for vital emergency equipment and upgrades.
Mayor Peter Flannery said this was a major win for the safety of Moreton Bay residents and well-earned acknowledgment for our hardworking SES Unit.
“From fire to flood, our amazing Moreton Bay SES volunteers have been incredibly busy over the past few years keeping our residents safe during emergency events,” he said.
“I’m proud to say Council applied for nine separate grants through the State Government’s SES Support Grant and was successful on all of them, totalling nearly $400,000.
“This is great recognition of the invaluable work the SES have done over many years and recently during the recent January wet weather event and the February 2022 floods.
“The funding will be split between various SES Groups across our City, including Woodford, Caboolture, Redcliffe, Petrie, Arana Hills, Bribie Island and Deception Bay.
“It will allow them to upgrade their depots and purchase new response vehicles.
“I’d like to thank the State Government for supporting our SES to perform their duties at an even higher level than we’re already accustomed to.
“Since the February 2022 floods, the Moreton Bay SES Unit has experienced a 187% increase in requests for assistance, ranging from storm and flood relief to aiding the Queensland Police Service in missing person searches.
“The Unit has also ramped up community engagement events to educate residents on disaster preparedness.
“From December 2023 to March 2024, the Moreton Bay SES Unit responded to over 500 assistance requests within the City.
“They assisted Bray Park residents by washing out 83 homes following the January 2024 floods and supported seven different missing person searches.
“They’ve lent their support to other regions in Queensland too, by dispatching over 85 volunteers to assist North Queensland towns after devastating cyclones and floods.
“And they deployed over 120 members to support communities in the Scenic Rim, Logan and Gold Coast areas after devastating Christmas Day storms.”
For those interested in making a difference, learning new skills, and meeting new people, the Moreton Bay SES Unit welcomes new members. Register your interest via Moreton Bay SES membership application - City of Moreton Bay.