Volunteers Put Flood Boat Skills to the Test Across Isaac

SES volunteers from Moranbah, Dysart and Clermont hit the water this week, putting their flood boat skills through their paces as storm season approaches.

The hands-on training saw volunteers practising real-life rescue manoeuvres, including navigating mangroves, performing touch-and-go exercises and learning how to safely retrieve a person from a tree without knocking them into the water — a challenge volunteers described as both tricky and fun.

The training highlighted the strong collaboration between Isaac SES groups, with units supporting one another, training together and building lasting relationships.

Every year, around 5,000 volunteers support Queensland communities before, during and after emergencies through the Queensland State Emergency Service. Volunteers respond to a wide range of situations including storms, floods, cyclones, rescues, road and rail incidents, landslides and searches for missing persons.

SES volunteers come from all walks of life, with roles designed to empower people to help themselves and others when emergencies strike. Volunteers are trained in skills such as flood boat operations, chainsaw use, land searches and road crash rescue.

To become an SES volunteer, applicants must be at least 16 years old, willing to give back to their community and able to activate during disasters and emergencies. Volunteers need to work well in a team, think quickly under pressure and be prepared for irregular hours.

Applicants over 18 are required to undergo a criminal history check and hold, or apply for, a Blue Card, with all assessments considered on a case-by-case basis.

Visit www.ses.qld.gov.au for more information!

Moranbah, Dysart and Clermont SES teams were out on the water this week for Flood Boat drills. Photo source: Issac Region SES

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