Twelve months ago (December 2009) 95.6% of the state was in drought. Twelve months later as this newsletter is published, the state is drought free.
That means that a lot of rain has fallen and great quantities of water has moved along the states river systems.
That also means that the NSW SES has been very active dealing with the extremes of nature. As we are now in the Christmas/New Year season, I reflect on the enormous amount of community work and effort you have all given, and thank you for making a great difference.
It has been a while since I mentioned the words "One SES" in my articles, but the events of the last year have again allowed me to focus on this organisation’s people and capability. Every member of the SES is able to fulfill their role because everyone else in the SES has the same mission; to save lives and to protect property, the environment and the economy of NSW.
In relative terms our organisation is young, yet through its member has achieved so much since 1955; and as we grow we take lessons from the past and focus on making the future even better.
By focusing on our mission and pulling together we can make this organisation the most effective, dynamic, recognised emergency service in this state and to accomplish this we need a plan.
In November, I was overwhelmed and enormously grateful to Controllers from every part of the State who came together to begin to populate the NSW SES Plan for 2011-2015. During the conference, I renamed the event to the "NSW SES State Leaders Conference" as I witnessed and acknowledged the important role and contributions that were made.
Our "One SES" plan will begin on the 1st July 2011, and up until that time I will continue to ask for input and feedback on our future direction and what we need to do to fulfill our mission. I also with great pride and energy, acknowledge that it is my job, supported by all members to finally lock in the Plan and lead this organisation.
The Plan will focus all our energies into three streams, Our People, Our Governance and Our Service Delivery. I am fond of saying that an organisation does not achieve anything through policy, procedures, assets, equipment, etc. It is the people in an organisation that achieve everything. So the main stream of our plan will focus on you – the members of the SES.
People need an organizational framework, structure, guidelines, assets and resources; and this will be stepped out in the Governance stream.
And finally, by the actions of people within an organizational framework – all our valued services are delivered; this will be evident through the Service Delivery stream of the SES Plan.
My ultimate success indicator for the new Plan will be that it plainly sets out what we all want to achieve, and that every member can identify the role they will play in implementing the Plan.
I look forward with great excitement to what we can achieve; but for the moment do hope you can all find the time to share the holiday season with your loved ones. From Jo-Anne and I, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year!
Murray Kear AFSM
Commissioner
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