MCCRAE lighthouse turned orange last week as a tribute to SES volunteers who turn out in their signature orange uniforms to help the community day and night in all kinds of weather.
Wear Orange Wednesday, celebrated with the assistance of McCrae Lions, Wednesday 19 May, honoured the SES’s essential role come storms, floods, search-and-rescues and at serious road crashes.
Sorrento SES unit’s Margaret Davis said members spent an average 150 hours on operational time over 12 months plus training and activities. Training was one night a week with extra time spent with chainsaws or working at heights.
“All members have a sense of achievement and pride that comes from giving back to the community,” Ms Davis said.
“Community education is an important part of the Sorrento SES and preparation for emergencies is essential to maintain safe and resilient communities.”
To prepare for winter, Ms Davis said residents should monitor weather forecast and wind warnings, as well as cleaning gutters, downpipes and drains, and checking that loose items, such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines, were secure.
Cars should be parked under cover or away from trees and motorists should never drive through or enter floodwaters, she said.
Call 132 500 for help or 000 if the situation is life-threatening.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 May 2021
