Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts

Thursday, November 05, 2009

WEEK CELEBRATES CONTRIBUTION OF ‘ORANGE ANGELS’

The hard work and dedication of the State’s 6,500 ‘Orange Angels’ will be recognised during SES Week from November 7-15, Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts announced today.

Mr Roberts said SES volunteers committed close to 110,000 operational hours to frontline activities during 2008-09.

“Whether it was in response to the ferocious storms in The Gap in Brisbane, tropical cyclones Charlotte, Ellie or Hamish and associated flooding, storms in the state’s south-east in May and June or the recent bushfires across the state, SES volunteers gave their time and labour to help those impacted,” Mr Roberts said.

“And SES volunteers don’t just respond to natural disasters, our Orange Angels are often activated to assist during major public events or in searches.”

Mr Roberts said a series of events would be held across the state to celebrate and acknowledge the contribution made by SES volunteers.

“SES Week is a valuable opportunity for the local community to thank SES volunteers across the state and learn about the vital role volunteers play within the community,” he said.

“Queensland is home to more than 6,500 SES Volunteers from 342 groups.

“It takes a unique person to be a volunteer - a person who is selfless and willing to put their own needs on hold to assist others.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge Local Governments for their ongoing support of the SES. The SES is a partnership between State and Local Government which benefits local communities.”

Executive Director of Emergency Management Queensland, Frank Pagano, said SES Week would be officially launched in Ingham on Saturday.

“National SES Week is an occasion to reflect on the outstanding commitment of SES volunteers, award those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and extend our gratitude to both the families and employers who support them,” Mr Pagano said.

“Every week in Queensland SES volunteers are on the ground lending a hand in some capacity whether it be through cyclone response, search and rescue operations, community education or assisting other emergency services agencies.

“Thanks to the support of many great employers and the families of our SES volunteers the community has someone who they can call on to respond so swiftly and effectively to help at a number of incidents including flood, storm and cyclone.

Queenslanders are invited to be a part of a number of SES Week celebrations taking place including national ‘wear orange to work day’ on Friday 13 November.”

Details of regional and State awards ceremonies are as follows:

Regional awards ceremonies:
Saturday 7 November, 12 noon – Northern Region Awards – Ingham
Saturday 7 November, 2pm – Far Northern Region Awards – Port Douglas
Saturday 7 November, 6.30pm – Central Region Awards – Rockhampton
Tuesday 10 November, 7pm – South East Region Awards – Beenleigh
Saturday 14 November, 9.30am – North Coast Region (Wide Bay Burnett) Awards – Bundaberg
Saturday 14 November, 11am – South West Region Awards – Toowoomba
Saturday 14 November, 2.30pm – North Coast Region (Sunshine Coast) Awards – Sippy Downs
Sunday 15 November, 10am – Brisbane Region Awards – Kedron

State ceremonies:
Sunday 15 November, 11.30am – State Emergency Service (SES) Commemorative Service - Kedron, Brisbane
Sunday 15 November, 1pm – State Awards Ceremony – Kedron, Brisbane

Media contact: Minister’s office – (07) 3239 0199; DCS Media – (07) 3247 8186

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