Benalla SES members will once again be outside BWS on Arundel St on Wear Orange Wednesday.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
The Victoria SES is encouraging all Victorians to wear orange on Wednesday, May 20 in recognition of Wear Orange Wednesday.
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WOW is a day of appreciation for SES volunteers held annually during National Volunteer Week.
It recognises the extraordinary contribution SES volunteers make to communities across the country, supporting people during storms, floods, rescues and other emergencies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
WOW also provides an opportunity to recognise the highly trained volunteers behind the orange uniforms who dedicate their time, skills and energy to helping keep communities safe. From flood and storm response to road crash rescue and search operations, SES volunteers undertake nationally accredited training to ensure they have the capability to respond when communities need them most.
SES volunteers are among the state’s most relied upon emergency responders, working alongside Victoria Police, CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria and Ambulance Victoria every single day.
Wear Orange Wednesday is as opportunity to thank SES volunteers for their dedication to saving lives and keeping communities safe.
In the past 12 months alone, SES volunteers have responded to more than 33,000 requests for assistance across the state, including:
Approximately 17,000 downed tree incidents
About 7000 flood and building damage callouts
Almost 2300 road crash rescues
Almost 600 technical rescues, and
About 3500 incidents supporting partner agencies.
This demand highlights the increasing reliance on VICSES volunteers and the critical role they play in keeping Victorian communities safe.
Benalla SES member Graham Milner said the unit would have its rescue truck on display at BWS on Arundel St from 3pm to 7pm on Wear Orange Wednesday.
“This is a chance to view the rescue equipment, chat with the volunteers and learn more about volunteering with VICSES,” Mr Milner said.
VICSES chief officer operations Alistair Drayton said National Volunteer Week and WOW gave communities an opportunity to publicly thank the thousands of volunteers who dedicated their time, skills and energy to helping keep Victorian communities safe.
“Our volunteers are highly trained, nationally accredited and deeply committed to helping others, often during the most difficult moments in people’s lives,” he said.
“Behind every orange uniform is someone who has chosen to serve their community, often balancing volunteering alongside work, family and other commitments.
“WOW Day gives us a chance to pause and say a heartfelt thank you for their commitment, courage, dedication, and service to the community.”
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