News

In the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) gender diversity is a key capability for driving service excellence. Within NSW SES, 34% of all members are women, and better still, 25% of leadership roles are filled by women. Last year saw the release of the Diversity and inclusion strategy, which is a commitment to valuing different backgrounds, skills and experiences and to using our diversity as a source of strength. NSW SES is currently developing the Women in Leadership Plan, and this will increase opportunities and reduce barriers for women in the organisation and across the emergency services sector as a whole.

International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to recognise the work of women in key leadership roles across the Service.

As a volunteer, the highest level in the ranks are Unit and Local Controllers, and one of these Controllers is Yvette Amos, who manages the Snowy River Unit. Yvette has been a volunteer with NSW SES for nine and a half years.

“My Dad joined our local unit the year I was born, so I guess you could say that SES is in my blood”, said Ms Amos.

The family connection meant Yvette couldn’t wait to join once she was old enough.

“Growing up with NSW SES in my life I was super keen to join up when I turned 16. I always wanted to join, but for me it’s all about being part of something that’s bigger than just me. I get to learn lifelong skills while giving back to my community and helping people when they need help the most”, she said.

Yvette says her favourite part of being a member is training and watching new members grow and develop their skills and confidence.

Yvette is one of the Service’s youngest Local Controllers, and in her 10 years as a volunteer, she has developed expertise in many areas.

“I’ve learnt so much, everything from our core roles in storm, to support roles like map reading, navigation and land search, Road Crash Rescue and Alpine Search and Rescue. Besides all the skills, I’ve also learnt so much about myself and how to continue to be a good leader.”

To other women thinking about whether NSW SES is right for them, Yvette has this advice,

“Just do it, it really is the best thing you will ever do. To all women out there thinking of joining, it’s not a boy’s club. You are capable of doing all the roles so don’t let that hold you back. Be ready to get dirty, learn new skills and have a blast with like-minded women and men”, she concluded.

To learn more about the roles in the NSW SES and submit an online application, go to www.ses.nsw.gov.au