Although unsure of what to expect, 19 young men and five youth leaders from Devonport, Tasmania, enthusiastically attended the State Emergency Service (SES) Central Coast Unit base in Ulverstone for a youth activity night.
At this event, SES volunteers and members of the Ulverstone Fire Brigade combined to teach the youth more about what they do in the community to keep people safe.
SES
Youth learn service through community volunteers in Devonport, Tasmania© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.“SES is a volunteer group that helps with road safety, said Israel Buckley, age 15. “I learned that you have to work in a team and work well together.”
“It impressed me that people take their time to help others,” said Gideon Buckley, age 14. “I learnt about how they cooperate with each other in really stressful times.”
“The SES and fire fighters work together throughout the country to save people from accidents, floods, and fires,” added Akkendi Woolley (15).
Peter Buckley, local bishop (lay leader) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said, “The purpose behind the activity was two-fold: to gain a greater understanding of service – giving of ourselves to helping others, and the importance of gaining new skills to help us become self-reliant.”
Harri Prebble (13) and Darcy Cullis (16) enjoyed learning how sandbags are filled and stacked to keep buildings safe from flooding.
“I learned that making sandbags is more difficult than I thought,” said 12-year-old Eric Travers.
SES
State Emergency Service volunteers in Tasmania teach youth how sandbags are used to help flooding© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.The youth also learned about lifting a car with someone pinned under it using an airbag and timbers. They practised placing someone on a stretcher and properly carrying it together. They learned how to rig up a temporary roof during a storm to keep the elements out.
Hugh Triffitt, age 12, liked learning about the tools they use to get people out of cars, and seeing how the Jaws of Life operated.
The youth tried some team building exercises, used tools, and saw vehicles up close, including the different sections on a fire truck. They practised different rescue scenarios.
SES
Youth practise rescue scenarios with SES in Devonport© 2023 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Fifteen-year-olds Lachlan Triffitt and Israel Buckley were impressed that these volunteers work all day at their regular jobs and then come in and do night shifts. “They work for free, possibly putting their lives in danger,” added Israel.
The SES volunteers enjoyed having the youth group along and invited them to come back. Bishop Buckley acknowledged that the youth and leaders would absolutely do that. “We learned a great deal and had a really good time.”
