News

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliott MP visited the NSW SES State Headquarters yesterday (Wednesday 23 December 2020).

Commissioner Carlene York and Deputy Commissioner Daniel Austin provided the Premier and Minister a briefing following severe storms, heavy rain and floods along the NSW North Coast. They also had time to view the newly developed Mobile Incident Command Centre and the state of the art Cells on Wheels (CoWs).

During weather events 78/2021 and 93/2021, 2,300 volunteers responded to the impacts of floods and storms.

A brief overview: 

• The isolation and evacuation of several communities, over 3000 requests for assistance and 21 properties becoming unliveable.
• 15 Flood Watches and 233 Warnings being issued across 18 River Systems potentially impacting over 50 Communities.
• NSW SES issued 5 Evacuation Warnings and 1 Evacuation Order.
• 5 Aircraft, a high-trans pump and a cell on wheels were deployed.

The past 14 days have demonstrated how determined NSW SES volunteers are to keeping our communities safe. This commitment will serve us well, with this storm season predicted to be the biggest yet.

Click here for information on how to prepare for storms and floods. 

What is a Mobile Incident Command Centre and Cell on Wheels?

A Mobile Incident Command Centre is a transportable solution for incident management that can be used on the back of the FMX Volvo or lowered onto the ground, self-powered for up to 48 hours. 

The Cell on Wheels is a self-contained, self-powered Government Radio Network (GRN) cell carried on a 4x4 Iveco Daily truck that can establish radio communications in a range of scenarios to enhance frontline capability and member safety.