The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, recently joined the State Emergency Service (SES) Mildura Unit at their weekly training session, witnessing firsthand the amazing work our local volunteers do.
During the session, Ms Benham tried her hand at a range of emergency rescue drills, including working at heights, rope tying, and other skills the SES uses to keep our community safe.
“SES volunteers respond to a wide variety of emergencies, from rescuing people trapped in vehicles and flooded areas to assisting during storms, search and rescue operations, and other urgent incidents,” Ms Benham said. “The training I saw during the session reflects just how prepared they need to be for anything that comes their way.
“Our SES volunteers are always there for us, whether it’s during fires, floods, or other emergencies. Spending time with the team really shows the commitment and training it takes to be a SES volunteer.”
Ms Benham says the biggest emergency facing the Mildura’s SES is rundown facilities and outdated equipment. The existing facilities are aging and no longer meet the demands of the growing community. Upgrades to these facilities, beginning with an extension to the current shed, are urgently needed.
“If the Labor Government is serious about serving all Victorians, it needs to start directing funds into providing our emergency services with fit-for-purpose facilities. We were promised increased support for emergency services, so the government needs to put its money where its mouth is.
“The Labor Government’s Emergency Volunteers and Services Fund was sold to us as a way to increase funding for emergency services, but we now know that only 5 cents in every dollar is being delivered to the SES.
“Premier Allan promised all of the $3 billion collected would go to emergency services. That’s simply not happening, and Victorians are paying the price for Labor’s financial mismanagement.”
