Hard work and dedication help make a safer community

SES Heathcote Unit responded to 142 requests for assistance during 2025, with volunteers attending road crashes, storm damage and rescue operations across the district.

Call-outs included 22 road crashes, 102 fallen trees, two building damage jobs, two general rescues and assisting other agencies on 11 occasions.

Unit controller Darren O’Connor said the workload was higher than usual for the small unit.

“We usually average around 120 requests for assistance in a year, so we were up by about 20 per cent this year,” he said.

“The sad news is that we were called to help at 24 rescues.”

Mr O’Connor said responding to emergencies often meant time away from family, disrupted workdays and long hours in difficult conditions.

Fundraising is continuing for a new four-wheel-drive medium rescue truck, with the unit passing the halfway mark of its $200,000 target in December.

“We are still amazed at the generosity of our community with over 70 people and businesses who have donated to our rescue truck fund; some of them multiple times,” Mr O’Connor said.

“The new truck will greatly enhance our ability to respond to help people who are trapped by floods or need rescuing in remote locations.

“Donations are always welcome.”

The unit is also seeking new volunteers, particularly people who are available during the daytime.

Volunteers assist during storms, floods, road crashes and searches and are provided with training and protective equipment.

“We have six new recruits that are starting their journey to being professional rescuers, but we’ve always got room for more,” Mr O’Connor said.

“If you’ve ever thought that being a SES volunteer might be the way you can give back to this wonderful community, then come and have a chat.”

Anyone interested in joining the SES Heathcote Unit can contact Mr O’Connor on 0418 543 626 or visit the unit headquarters on Thursday nights from 7pm.