Ballina Electorate Media Releases
Thanks to Ballina and Mullumbimby SES (04/06/2009)
The Ballina and Mullumbimby State Emergency Service (SES) units are to be congratulated on the work they did during the recent floods and storms the Member for Ballina Don Page said last night in Parliament.
“The SES received almost 800 calls for assistance when the storms battered the coast on the 20-21st of May,” Mr Page said.
“The Ballina unit, which had only two crews, took more than 425 calls for help.
“Those two crews worked solidly for two days before reinforcements from Tamworth, Gunnedah and Narrabri arrived.
“Eventually another 10 teams from Sydney arrived to help finish outstanding jobs,” Mr Page said.
“Gerry Burnage, who comes up for 25-years of service in a couple of weeks, said the storm and winds were the most frightening he had ever encountered.
“He told me that when the storms were at their peak it felt like the end of the world,” Mr Page said.
“It was a similar situation for the unit at Mullumbimby which attended some 365 jobs over three days with volunteers clearing trees, conducting four rescues evacuations and attending the collapse of one building,” he said.
“To know that the SES volunteers were out in the storm and high winds speaks volumes for their courage and commitment to the very dangerous task of helping those in need.
“The efforts of volunteers were tremendous. In the most atrocious of conditions they carried out their work professionally, and always with a smile and a sense of humour,” Mr Page said.
Mr Page said the Rural Fire Service also deserves recognition for assisting with sandbagging operations around parts of Ballina that were flooded during king tides.
“Flooding in the Ballina electorate was not as severe as other areas, however the damage from wind and rain caused some of the most extensive storm damage in recent history. I’m told winds of up to 160km per hour were recorded,” he said.
“It’s in emergencies that we realise how important the community is and to those SES volunteers, the Rural Fire Service volunteers, the Councils, Country Energy workers and those who helped in any way – thank you,” Mr Page said.
