SES Groups are enabled in supporting community by both
State and local governments. To do that, a range of resources is essential and
both levels of government make significant contributions to the costs of the
SES.
Some SES Groups, however, find additional resources vital
to their role in community and their volunteers choose to fundraise locally to
support that. These additional and valuable resources help their local groups
meet local community challenges, and the volunteers form incorporated associations
purposed to that fundraising for, and support of, their SES Group.
Recognition
of SES Support Groups
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has recently adopted
a framework for these SES Support Groups that recognises the groups who have
complied with minimum governance standards, have the permission of the
Commissioner to use the name “SES” or ‘State Emergency Service” * and have the
permission of SES to conduct fundraising on its behalf.
Who are the recognised groups?
A process of recognition of SES Support Groups is currently under way. When recognised, those groups will have permission to fundraise on behalf of SES in their area, with the authority of the Commissioner.
Recognised SES Support Groups include:
- The State Emergency Service Buchan Point Group Incorporated
Can donations support
areas where there isn’t a recognised group?
Where there isn’t a recognised SES Support Group in an
area, fundraising and donations are still important and occur in conjunction
with the SES
Gift Fund.
Donations can be made through the fund, which is a
Deductible Gift Recipient and donations can be directed to local areas with any
donation over $2 being tax deductible. See the Donate page
for more information about donating.
How are funds used in
support of SES? What can be donated (other than funds)?
SES Groups benefit most from equipment that best meets the
needs of the tasks they undertake and there is extensive research that has gone
into what items are most suitable.
There are some restrictions around what kind of equipment
can be donated in different areas, including the cost and logistics of
maintenance of the items. Unfortunately, not all groups can accept all items,
even with the best of intentions for supporting SES. If you wish to support SES
by donating equipment rather than funds, then the best way to work out whether
the equipment you would like to donate to SES can be accepted is to speak with
the SES in your area or to speak with your local council.
Having said that, there are items of equipment that can
readily be donated, including specific models of chainsaws, polesaws,
generators, battery-powered lighting, first aid and first responder training
equipment (like flotation dummies and resuscitation training packs),
stretchers, vehicle accessories (like track support and vehicle fridges), and
technology items (such as thermal imagers, tablet devices, handheld GPS and
power packs). Enquiries about which models and any items that are not on this
list should, similarly, be directed to the local SES or local council.
Enquiries about the SES Support Group Framework, about
recognised groups and about donations can be directed to SES.SupportGroupHELP@qfes.qld.gov.au
SES Support Group members and committee executive can
access assistance through SES.SupportGroupHELP@qfes.qld.gov.au
with resources and training available through the organisation’s Gateway
intranet from the volunteer portal.
*NOTE – the use of the
terms ‘SES’ and ‘State Emergency Service’ are restricted under the Fire
and Emergency Services Act and requires the permission of the Commissioner
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.