Maranoa region State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have received $13,000 worth of new equipment to assist in disaster response.
The funds were earmarked for the Maranoa region by Powerlink Queensland as part of the $200,000 Powerlink, Energex and Ergon SES Equipment Program.
The program has helped groups in the region to purchase vital frontline tools, including polesaws, lighting systems, ladders and cooling devices.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) deputy commissioner for emergency services volunteers Mike Wassing said the financial support would give Maranoa’s SES volunteers the resources they needed to continue serving the community.
“Queensland’s dedicated SES volunteers commit their own time to helping those in need and protecting vulnerable members of the community,” Mr Wassing said.
“The Maranoa region has suffered from severe weather events in the past. This equipment will give the SES greater capacity to respond when a disaster hits.”
This equipment will also support volunteers with land searches, tarping of roofs, floodboat operations and road crash rescue operations.
Powerlink chief executive Merryn York said it was great to be able to supply much needed equipment to SES units in the Roma, Wallumbilla, Surat, Mitchell and Begonia areas of Maranoa.
“Powerlink is close to completing a sizable extension of our network in this region and we wanted to support the SES as another way of giving back to the Maranoa community,” Ms York said.
“Our staff have seen firsthand the vital work of SES volunteers during severe weather events. We are proud to be able to assist them through this partnership.”
Energex, Ergon and Powerlink launched the joint SES Equipment Program late last year, marking the first time Queensland’s three energy corporations had joined forces to support an important community-based organisation such as the SES.
