Recently volunteers have been contacted for matters that don’t result in jobs for the unit, such as fallen trees across roads which are dealt with by the council. And although they do assist council when needed, these calls have gone to the SES even when there’s been no storm. 

The NSW SES assist with damage resulting from storms, wind, hail or a fallen tree. And for tree branches threatening property or people’s safety. If a significant amount of water is leaking from your ceiling, if a tree has blocked access to your property, or you are experiencing flash flooding inundate or threaten to inundate your home. Volunteers undertake temporary emergency measures to make your home and the situation is safe.

Residents must contact either their your insurance company or a private contractor to make permanent repairs to damage resulting from a flood or storm or to remove any remaining debris.

Mudgee deputy controller, Jason Thurlow, said, the majority of inoperative calls relate to trees on roads, which he said tie up resources when they should be placed to council in the first place.

“All calls go through the state operations centre in Wollongong, they then activate us because they can’t give it directly to council, we have to – so it ties up a lot of people for something that doesn’t need to be done that way,” he said.

He added that people also seek advice on road closures and weather forecasts.

NSW SES checklist:

If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these call the NSW SES on 132 500. If ‘no’ contact your insurance company or a private contractor to assess and complete the job.

Your request will be logged with the operations centre who will give you a reference number.

If anyone is trapped or injured, and in a life threatening emergency, call triple-zero (000).