Switching Up The Roles At Mackay SES

Group Leader of the State Emergency Service Mackay Regional Unit, JoAnn Clout, has stepped down from her role after ten years of dedicated service.

JoAnn stepped out of the role originally in 2018, however since then she has filled in on an interim basis when other members have come and gone from the position.

She has been a pillar of strength for members of the SES and continues to stay active in the organisation.  

Today, JoAnn spends her time keeping busy with the new recruit program, keen on training volunteers to a high standard in dealing with storm damage for the upcoming season.

Jo Ann commented that, “As a group leader, recruiting has always been one of my priorities.

“If we don’t have adequate members, we can’t have an official response. Same as retention, if we can’t hold on to members, how good is our response going to be when things go pear-shaped?”

“The average lifespan of a volunteer is quite small, between 15-18 months.

“But as a unit, I feel like our programs are so strong and our sense of community is so welcoming that our volunteers tend to stay longer.”

SES Local Controller, Alex McPhee, commends JoAnn for being committed to the Mackay region, offering a positive outlook alongside a can-do attitude, working amongst her colleagues without issue and being dedicated to getting the job done.

Stepping into her previous role as Group Leader is Warren Ponmoon, who has been a part of the State Emergency Service Mackay Regional Unit for three years.

Warren is equipped to deal with high-risk activities for the organisation, such as being both a flood boat and chainsaw operator, as well as recently beginning training in a Certificate IV to become a qualified Trainer/Assessor.

In the next twelve months, Warren will become a trainer for the SES, bringing him up to JoAnn’s level and allowing another strong leader for the organisation.

JoAnn went on to say, “The thing that I hear most commonly is: ‘I had no idea SES do all of that.’

“We are the only agency trained to support the other emergency services.

“We assist police with missing people, traffic control, road crash rescue, flood boat rescue, assisting with firies offering welfare services and utilisation of training, the list goes on.”

Mackay SES have a diverse range of people who volunteer, with some as young as sixteen right up to age seventy-six.

Alex McPhee put it simply, “One of the things we promote is that once you walk through the shed doors, you’re an orange person. We’re all orange, we’re here to do a job and that’s it.”

‍

JoAnn Clout, Alex McPhee, and Sarah Lethbridge (Deputy Local Controller). Photo Credit: State Emergency Service - Mackay Regional Unit

‍