During the two-day workshop, hosted at Wero Whitewater Park, in Auckland, NSW SES volunteers undertook complex, multi-agency rescue exercises designed to enhance coordinated response ahead of future severe weather events
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Storey said the NSW SES was proud to contribute its knowledge, as well as learn from our kiwi colleagues in a collaborative, hands-on training environment.
“The NSW SES is recognised globally as a leader in flood rescue capability and sharing our skills while learning from partners ensures we are as ready as possible for the worst weather events,” he said.
“We’re extremely proud of the relationships built across agencies, because when emergencies strike, these connections translate directly into faster, safer, more coordinated efforts.
“The NSW SES was greatly assisted by our New Zealand colleagues during the 2022 floods, and the increasing severity and frequency of major events in both countries will see us needing each other again in the future."
NSW SES volunteer Jennifer Travis, who has been with the service for nearly a decade, attended the exercise and said the experience was both professionally and personally inspiring.
“Working side-by-side in the water with operators from different agencies was a real highlight — we tested new approaches, learnt from each other and saw just how much capability grows when we collaborate,” Ms Travis said.
Ms Travis said the workshop strengthened her skills, broadened her network and reinforced the importance of communication and teamwork in high-risk rescue environments.
“Flood rescue takes you out of your comfort zone. The risks are high, and situational awareness is critical,” she said.
“I’ve learnt so much over the past 8–9 years, but this experience reminded me that the most important tool we have is communication. It was also invaluable to be in a multi-agency environment and see the different ways teams work. Forming strong communication skills means we can all ‘speak the same language’ during a rescue. That consistency saves lives.”
Ms Travis said she was proud to represent women in flood rescue and encouraged more women to explore the capability pathway.
“It can be seen as a male-dominated area, but there’s so much support in the team environment and I would encourage more women to give it a go.”
Assistant Commissioner Storey thanked all participating agencies and organisers.
“Events like FloodEx ensure that when severe flooding occurs, whether here or overseas, our combined response is fast, coordinated and effective,” he said.