State Emergency Service (SES)

WEAR ORANGE WEDNESDAY – 19 MAY 2021

Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers throughout Australia. As a show of recognition and support for the dedicated SES volunteers in Western Australia, 16 iconic locations from Karratha to Busselton will be lit up in orange. We encourage everyone across the State to wear a splash of orange on WOW Day to support and thank their local SES volunteers. #thankyouSES​

SES WOW Day 2021

When a natural disaster strikes or an emergency situation arises, DFES’s State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers can be found providing a wide range of volunteer services to help the community cope from the impact a disaster.

This involves providing emergency repairs on buildings, to restoration of essential services and ferrying cargo and passengers across flood waters.

Helping the community to recover by responding to natural disasters is only part of SES’ responsibility. Volunteers also carry out land search working alongside WA Police, cliff, aerial and cave rescues. SES volunteers can also assist with air search observation.

In some areas SES volunteers are responsible for the difficult and gruelling task of extricating people from vehicles involved in traumatic road crash incidents.

There are over 2,100 SES volunteers in WA. Many work diligently behind the scenes as radio or computer operators, in administration or incident control, planning and logistics.

SES volunteers also actively promote safety education, prevention and preparation measures in visits to service groups, senior centres and homes, local business and schools.

SES volunteer training includes:

• First aid
• Map reading and navigation
• Land search techniques
• Storm damage techniques
• Flood boat rescue
• General rescue
• Radio communications
• Leadership
• Management
• Driving vehicles for emergencies
• Road crash rescue
• Single rope techniques (abseiling) and vertical rescue
• Observation from aircraft and supply dropping
• Ground support for fire services

If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer in your local area, please visit the Emergency Services Volunteer Recruitment website.

You can also contact your local SES unit or visit the SES Volunteers Association of WA.

For SES emergency assistance during a storm, cyclone, earthquake, flood or tsunami, please ring 132 500. Click here for information about when you should call the SES.

​Publications

• ‍SES - History (2854 KB)

Additional Coverage:

• SES volunteer assistance in MH370 search March/April (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• SES Canine finds missing child (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• Pilbara resupply of isolated communities (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• Deluge cuts off Exmouth (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• Ellenbrook on alert (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• Three Western Australian volunteers attend ‘Change It Up’ event (DFES 24seven Magazine, Issue 2 – 2014)
• Leaden skies fitting backdrop to Storm Awareness Week (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 2, 2012)
• Training to have flow on effects (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 2, 2012)
• SES metro just love a challenge (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 3, 2011)
• SES Midwest volunteers tackle multiple challenges (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 3, 2011)
• Volunteers fly high for National SES Week (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 3, 2011)
• SES volunteers seize learning opportunities (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 2, 2011)
• SES provides assistance at forensic searches (FESA 24seven Magazine. Issue 1, 2010)