Kogarah SES Assists Local Community During Recent Strong Winds
29 September 2009, 10:00am
Volunteers from Kogarah SES responded to calls for assistance during the strong winds of the past week. Most calls were of Tree's down over roads and in yards, with some calls of damage to roofs and fences.
A number of Volunteers assisted residents in the Sutherland Shire, Wollondilly Shire and Wollongong City.
If you would like to help your community Kogarah SES will be holding information nights. The Information nights will be held on the 2/02/2010 and 9/02/2010 at our headquarters. If you would like any further information on joining the SES or to register your interest please email or phone 9547 1244.
Vale- Greg Slater,
Deputy Commissioner NSW SES
14 September 2009, 11:43am
It is with great sadness that the NSW SES mourns the loss of our Deputy Commissioner, Greg Slater, who passed away on the weekend.
Greg was loved by all members of the SES and was instrumental in the development of the agency over the last 11 years.
Greg Slater was born on 18 November 1962 in Sydney. In 1981 he joined the Australian Federal Police (AFP) in Eastern Region. In 1982 he transferred to ACT Region where he undertook further training at the Australian Federal Police College, Weston. Upon graduation he was posted to General Duties and the Police Rescue Squad, where he served until 1986.
From 1986 to 1987 he served with the 25th and 26th Contingents of the Australian Civilian Police, attached to the UN Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) where he was awarded the AFP Commissioner's and the UN Force Commanders’ Commendation for brave conduct.
In 1987 he returned to the ACT where he recommenced duties with the Australian Federal Police Rescue Squad. He developed the AFP’s capability in Vertical Rescue, Swift Water Rescue, Search and Rescue Co-ordination and Disaster Victim Identification. He was also involved in the development of leadership, team building and survival training for senior Australasian Police undertaking MOSC (Management of Serious Crime) studies. From 1992 to 1994 he returned to General Policing where he also served as a member of the AFP's Special Operations Team. In 1994 he transferred to Norfolk Island Police, where he served for three years. In May 1998 he commenced service with the NSW State Emergency Service as Division Controller, Oxley on the NSW Mid North Coast. During the April 1999 Sydney Hailstorm he led the Vertical Rescue Task Force, which co-ordinated the multi-agency technical response to high rise buildings in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs. In March 2001 he was the SES Operational Controller for the Mid North Coast Floods in Oxley Division, where he led the SES’s response operations in the Kempsey area.
He re-entered the Australian Federal Police in May 2001 and was posted as a member of the Australian Civilian Police 6th detachment for the UN Transitional Administration East Timor (UNTAET). His main focus was the provision of Investigations, Emergency Management and Operations training for senior officers of the fledgling Timor Lerosae (East Timor) Police Service. He led the Investigations Team and later undertook the role of District Operations Controller in the Viqueque District of East Timor.
He assumed the appointment of Deputy Director General (DDG) of the NSW SES on August 23, 2004 at the SES Headquarters, based in Wollongong. His role as DDG included operations management as the Deputy State Operations Controller, the leadership and development of the Service’s 17 Region Controllers and membership of the Service’s Senior Executive Group. His title was changed to Deputy Commissioner in August 2009.
His emergency management education included studies through the Emergency Management Australia Institute, in the fields of Emergency Operations, Civil Defence Operations, Emergency Risk Management and Exercise Management. He held a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Sydney. He was a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers, Australian Road Rescue Organisation, Institute of Public Administration Australia, United Nations Police Association of Australia, the Australian Bravery Association and University of Sydney Alumni.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jenny, daughter Madaline and son Alex.
His interests included endurance sports, road cycling, running and long course triathlon. He had completed the Australian Ironman Triathlon Championships on four occasions.
He will be sadly missed.
Awards and Commendations 1986 Australian Federal Police Commendation for Brave Conduct 1986 United Nations Medal – CYPRUS (UNFICYP) 1987 United Nations Fire Commanders Commendation for Brave Conduct 1988 Police Overseas Medal 1997 National Medal 2001 United Nations Medal (East Timor) 2006 Director General's Unit Citation 2007 State Medal- Hunter Storms 2008 Director General's Commendation for Service 2008 10 Years Long Service
SES Kogarah Attend Return Game for the NRL Emergency Services Cup
The SES Commissioner Murray Kear, SES Mascot Paddy Platypus and volunteers from the Kogarah SES Unit attended the Emergency Services Cup game last Friday.
The National Rugby League Emergency Services Cup game was first played between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Melbourne Storm earlier this season. That game was won in a close contest by the Melbourne Storm. On Friday July 31st, the return Emergency Service's Cup game between the Dragon's and the Storm was played at Kogarah Oval in Sydney.
On the night, the New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) Kogarah Unit provided a display of SES vehicles at the entrance to Kogarah Oval. Some thirty volunteers attended the game along with representatives of the Rural Fire Service (RFS), New South Wales Fire Brigades (NSWFB) and Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA). Paddy Platypus assisted in the pre-match entertainment and along with Fire Brigades Mascot Bernie Cinders, attended the photographs at the conclusion of the match.
The game proved an exciting evening with the St George Dragons posting a thrilling, come-from-behind win.
SES Commissioner Murray Kear, the Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan and representatives of the NSWFB, RFS and VRA also watched the game, with the Minister presenting the Emergency Services Cup to the victorious St George Illawarra Dragons.
Kogarah SES responds to Tsunami Warning for NSW Coast.
Over 20 Volunteers from the Kogarah State Emergency Service Responded to the Tsunami Threat caused by An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.9 (Latitude 45.960S Longitude 166.470E ) which occurred at 7:22 PM EST on Wednesday 15 July 2009 off the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
At 7:40 PM EST a Tsunami Watch was issued by the Bureau of Meteorology and the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre. This was then upgraded to a Marine Based Tsunami Warning.
Volunteers from Kogarah SES along with Rockdale SES proceeded to low lying areas near the coast to inform any concerned residents of costal suburbs of any updates. They also advised any persons on the beach of the warning and advised to go home. The Volunteers also noted and observed any change in conditions of the surf.
During any Tsunami Watch or Warning the SES advises:
- People are advised to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of harbours, coastal estuaries, rock platforms and beaches.
- Boats in harbours, estuaries or shallow coastal water should return to shore. Secure your boat and move away from the waterfront.
- Vessels already at sea should stay offshore in deep water until further advised.
- Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami, as there is the possibility of dangerous, localised flooding of the immediate foreshore.
- Check that your neighbours have received this advice.
For further Information please contact 1300 TSUNAMI (1300 878 6264) or visit the Bureau of Meteorology or the NSW SES
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