SES Volunteering

What is the SES?

The SES (State Emergency Service) is a volunteer-based organisation that empowers people to help others in their community in times of emergency and disaster.  

The SES is here to help when the community needs it most. Taking rain, hail or shine to the next level, you can depend on the SES to help during cyclones, floods, severe storms, and other natural disasters and catastrophes. Our SES members are trained to assist the community with preparedness, response and recovery and are relied upon by the community to assist during storms and floods. As part of the training, members will have the opportunity to participation in nationally accredited courses including the PUA21312 Certificate II in Public Safety (SES).

The SES also provides vital support to other emergency services from assistance in particular: storm and flood response; search and rescue; crime and forensic scenes; and pandemic control strategies.

Who can volunteer for the SES?

SES volunteers are community members from all walks of life, age, gender, and experience. Depending on your personal abilities, interests, and physical capabilities, volunteers can choose to assist in a variety of different ways through operational and non-operational roles in the SES. 

Operational roles are for those that enjoy providing hands-on assistance in emergency situations by helping to keep communities safe and protect life and property. Non-operational roles such as administration, support and education are just as important and integral to the function of the SES.

All roles are vital in preparing for, and responding to, many different types of disasters and emergencies:

Admin & Media - Skilled in organising and planning, admin volunteers are central to the running of the SES.

SES educators

Education - SES educators venture into the community to share their tips for being more resilient and better prepared in emergencies.

Support & Care - Assist in crucial support roles including incident management, communications and logistics. 

In the Field - Keep communities safe, protect life and property, and assist in providing preventative measures during emergency events such as storms and floods

Why join the SES?

See yourself in orange. Learn new skills, keep fit, form new friendships, gain valuable qualifications, earn respect within your community, have fun, be active as part of a team, and give back to help your community in times of emergency and disaster.

SES volunteers receive world class and nationally accredited training, providing them with real life skills, which are used during emergencies, and knowledge that stays with them throughout their life. Basic training includes topics such as first aid, storm and flood response, land search, map reading, and vehicle and equipment operation. Members can also go on to complete specialist training courses to perform crucial functions. 

SES Noosa River

Aid Studies - For students considering becoming a first-responder, volunteer with the SES for real-world experience. 

Upskill Yourself - Don’t second guess yourself when the ‘what if’ becomes ‘what now’. Upskill yourself on how to respond in emergencies. 

Free Training - Experience world-class FREE and nationally accredited training that will be beneficial for your whole lifetime. 

Give Back - Help protect and support your friends in the community and their possessions during emergencies. 

The Noosa SES Unit

The Noosa SES Unit has group locations in Tewantin, Cooroy, Pomona and Boreen Point, covering all areas within the Noosa Shire boundary.

SES Noosa Map

APPLY NOW

Frequently asked questions

  • You can apply right now online here or contact the Noosa Unit Local Controller for assistance via 0415 989 990 or by email.

  • You will need to fill out specific paperwork, which an SES member will assist you with. This includes a Criminal History Check and Blue Card working with Children to be completed and cleared. Once this is cleared, you will begin a probationary period and relevant training.

  • SES Units run training and practice exercises one evening a week and members are strongly encouraged to attend as much as possible to keep their skills up. During times of emergencies, members can commit as much time as they are able. The SES is aware that volunteers have changing lives and may have more hours to give at differing times of their family and life situation. The hours a member needs to commit will be dependent on the skill competencies they wish to maintain.

  • Volunteers can join the QLD SES at ages 16 and 17 but must complete a Parent and Guardian Consent form at the time of joining. Volunteers aged under 18 can still participate in most QLD SES activities but cannot attend incidents which may involve trauma.

  • Contact the Noosa Unit Local Controller for assistance via 0415 989 990 or by email. 

  • Non-Australian citizens who hold a temporary visa can volunteer depending on the type of visa held. Generally speaking, if a person's visa allows them to do paid work, then they can volunteer. Visa holders can check their visa details and conditions online at the Department of Home Affairs VEVO website.

  • The application form provides a section for you to disclose any disabilities/medical issues and your required adjustments to facilitate your request. The SES has a duty of care to its members. To ensure members are physically capable of performing SES functions, the SES may request the applicant undertake a medical examination and complete a medical report (at the applicant’s cost) from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner.

  • All applications for QLD SES undergo a National Police History Check and you are required to hold a Blue Card. Suitability assessments are conducted. Discussions regarding the results of these checks will be held with you as required.

  • The number of full-time emergency response personnel available to deal with day-to-day emergency situations is limited across all towns and communities. QLD SES volunteers supplement other emergency response professionals by providing vital frontline capabilities and support particularly in the area of flood and storm damage.

  • Members of SES units/groups must attend regular organisational training aimed at preparing them for their identified roles and operational responsibilities. All training costs are met by the QLD SES, however the amount of time you can give is not specific and will depend on many things including your own work, life balance.

  • Due to the unpredictable nature of emergencies, it’s not possible to determine the number of times you will be called to respond.  As an SES volunteer, you will train consistently so that you have the current and practiced skills and knowledge and are ready to respond when an emergency does happen. You are unlikely to attend all incidents, but you are encouraged to attend as many emergencies as you can, balancing family, work and responding.

  • Every SES volunteer is provided with the necessary training to develop and strengthen their skills and ensure both their safety and the safety of others. Each role requires a different level of training, varying from online courses, formal training sessions, to weekly or fortnightly participation at your group or unit.

Community