TAS SES - Mersey Unit

Last night’s training focused on search operations and scene investigation, and we were incredibly fortunate to have Dean Wotherspoon (Spoon) join us and give our members a really informative insight from a Tasmania Police perspective.

Understanding how Tasmania Police approach search and scene investigation, and how we can work alongside them effectively, is incredibly important. As SES volunteers, we regularly assist Tasmania Police at incidents, so being able to understand their processes and expectations helps ensure we can work together seamlessly on the ground.

A huge thank you to Spoon for taking time out of his busy schedule to spend the evening with us and share his knowledge and experience. Our members got a lot out of the session!

Tonight’s training exercise saw the Mersey SES Unit respond to a simulated earthquake resulting in a major structural collapse requiring an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) response.

Members arrived to find a realistic concrete debris pile that couldn’t have been a better representation of a collapsed structure. Teams quickly established search operations, located the simulated trapped casualties, provided first aid, and safely extricated them from the rubble. Pleasingly, all missing persons were successfully located and accounted for.

These realistic training scenarios are invaluable in developing the skills, teamwork and confidence needed to respond effectively when real emergencies occur.

A huge thank you to the Devonport City Councilfor allowing us to use their concrete stockpile, which provided an outstanding and highly realistic training environment for tonight’s exercise.

Training Tonight – All Things Radios!

Tonight we’re getting stuck into all things radios!

We’re lucky to have a fantastic radio network and some top-of-the-range radios at our disposal. They’re an important part of keeping our members safe and connected when we’re out and about responding to incidents.

But having great equipment is only half the job — we need to know how to use it properly!

Tonight we’ll refresh our knowledge, work through the different functions and make sure everyone is comfortable using the radios when it matters.

With strong winds, unusually high sea levels, and rain expected across the state over the next few days (11-12 July), it's time to make sure you're prepared!

A cold front crossing Tasmania is expected to bring:

💨 Strong and gusty winds from Sunday through to Tuesday
🌧️ Rainfall that may cause river rises and localised flooding
🌊 Unusually high sea levels and tides, with the potential for coast inundation in south east Tasmania.
Our crews are ready to assist anyone in need, and we encourage Tasmanians to prepare by:
🍂 Reduce risk where you can by clearing your gutters and drains and removing trees where it is safe to do so.
🏘️ Secure outdoor items, including furniture and play equipment.
🧒 Supervise children closely.
🏘️ Check that family and neighbours are aware of warnings.
🐄 Manage pets and livestock.
🔦 Be prepared in case of power outages and report any outages to TasNetworks on 132 004.
🌳 Beware of damaged trees and power lines and take care when driving.
🌊 Stay away from flood waters.
🚗 Drive to the conditions and turn on your headlights.
👀 Monitor local conditions and be ready to act quickly if the situation changes.

______________
Be prepared and keep up-to-date with:
▶️ weather information & warnings at https://www.bom.gov.au/tas/warnings/
▶️ TasALERT – for current warnings and advice or download the TasAlert app (TasALERT.com/download).
▶️ road closures at https://www.police.tas.gov.au/community-alerts/
▶️ preparedness information at https://www.ses.tas.gov.au/
▶️ ABC radio for the latest information. ______________ If you require assistance:
📲 Phone SES on 132 500 for non-life-threatening flood and storm emergency assistance
📲 Phone Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.

We are super proud to have Rose as a member of the Mersey Unit,

Rose McWilliam has simple advice for any young Tasmanian thinking of volunteering with the State Emergency Service – “give it a go”.

Rose, from Port Sorell, joined the SES Mersey Unit in November 2022 as an 18-year-old fresh out of Year 12, and says she has never looked back.

“Being a younger person in the SES has been such a great experience,” she says.

“It has exposed me to so many different people from all walks of life and has taught me many important skills, such as good teamwork, good communication, and the ability to believe in myself and know that I can do hard things.

“It has also opened my eyes to other volunteering opportunities with other emergency services and, since joining the SES, I also volunteer with Ambulance Tasmania and Surf Lifesaving.

“To any other young person who is thinking about joining up with SES, I would say just to give it a go, because you never know who you will meet and what opportunities may come of it.”

The SES in Tasmania is marking its 50th year in 2026.

Since it was established in June 1976, the SES has grown into an organisation of more than 800 volunteers statewide and an essential part of Tasmania’s emergency management network.

At school, Rose had a goal of enlisting with Tasmania Police, and it was at the urging of a serving police officer that she took an interest in the SES.

“He spoke highly of the SES and suggested that if I joined, I would learn many skills that you can use in all walks of life; communication, working as part of a team and helping the local community,” Rose says.

Rose, who is now hoping to become a paramedic, continues to volunteer with the Mersey SES Unit and is a Level 1 Operator.

“Serving in the SES is such a rewarding experience,” she says.

“I love when we have big training nights that have a lot of skills involved, like rooftop safety nights.

“These training nights are so important, so that we are able to be there for people on what could be one of worst days of their lives, but you know that you have the skills and training to do the job that is required.”

Alongside Tameka Pyke, of the Glamorgan Spring Bay SES Unit, Rose was selected earlier this year to attend an SES Young Emerging Leaders program in Canberra.

She says the program has her excited to continue with the SES and play a role in the future of volunteering in Tasmania.

The SES supports community safety at times of floods, storms, road crash rescue, search and rescue, and other emergencies.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, find out more at www.ses.tas.gov.au/volunteer/register-your-interest/ or contact your nearest SES Regional Headquarters.

Over the recent rain event from 30 June – 3 July 2026, our dedicated volunteers were kept busy assisting our community across the Mersey region.

A huge thank you goes to every Mersey SES volunteer who answered the call, often in challenging weather conditions, to support our community. We also thank the public for their patience, cooperation, and support throughout the event.

Your SES volunteers are proud to serve the Mersey community—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 💙🧡

Few people are better placed to reflect on this year’s 50th anniversary of the State Emergency Service in Tasmania than Anthony Dick.

The SES has been a large part of his life for more than 45 years, serving 22 years as a volunteer member of the Devonport-based Mersey Unit, and then 22 years as an SES staff member in the role of Regional Officer, North West.

In the past 12 months, Anthony has returned to volunteering with the Mersey SES unit as Deputy Unit Manager (Administration).

“The SES has provided experiences, opportunities, and friendships that I would never otherwise have had and it has taken me to places and situations I never imagined when I first joined,” he says.

“The organisation has evolved considerably, but its importance to Tasmania remains as strong as ever because it is built around people helping people when it matters most.”

Anthony joined the SES as a teenager about to finish school, and says his 45 years in the SES have been “extremely rewarding”.

“The SES has changed enormously over the past 50 years. Training, equipment, vehicles, communications, and technology have all improved significantly,” he says.

“When I first joined, many processes were far more manual and localised, with limited technology and fewer resources.

“Today, volunteers have access to modern vehicles, specialist rescue equipment, advanced communications systems, online training, and better personal protective clothing.

“There has also been a much stronger focus on volunteer support, work health and safety, training standards, and professionalism.

“At the same time, the core values of helping the community, teamwork, and volunteer commitment have remained unchanged.”

Since the SES was established in 1976 – emerging from the department of Civil Defence and Emergency Services - it has become an essential part of Tasmania’s emergency management network.

And over 50 years, the SES has become a trusted and respected organisation within the community.

“In many smaller towns and regional areas, SES volunteers are local people helping their own communities during difficult times, often leaving their families and workplaces to respond when needed,” Anthony says.

“Tasmania’s environment, weather, and geography can create significant challenges, including storms, floods, searches, road crash rescues, and other emergencies where communities rely heavily on volunteers for assistance and reassurance.

“The people, the camaraderie and the opportunity to help members of the community, during what is often one of the worst days of their lives, is what has kept me involved all these years.”

The official 50th anniversary of Tasmania SES was recognised on 21 June, 2026.

Are you interested in becoming an SES volunteer?
Find out more at www.ses.tas.gov.au/volunteer/register-your-interest/ or contact your nearest SES Regional Headquarters.

Today we celebrate 50 years of dedicated service to the Tasmanian community.

A special thank you to all past and present members of Mersey SES, and to your families. Your commitment, professionalism, sacrifice, and unwavering support have made an incredible difference over the past five decades. The support of families behind every volunteer is invaluable and deeply appreciated.

It has been a true privilege to serve alongside you and to help protect the communities of Devonport and Latrobe. Together, we’ve faced challenges, supported one another, and made our communities safer.

Here’s to the proud history we’ve built together and to many more years of serving our community.

Happy 50th Birthday, Tasmania SES! 🚨💛

Today, as we mark 50 years of the Tasmania State Emergency Service, we are proud to launch our 50th anniversary book, capturing the people, moments, and milestones that have shaped our story.

From our early Civil Defence beginnings through to the SES we know today, the book reflects the commitment, resilience, and community spirit that defines SES - past, present, and future through personal stories, reflections and interviews.

You can download a copy here 👇https://brnw.ch/50yearsofTasmaniaSES

Today and every day, we proudly recognise and thank every volunteer, staff member, and family member who has contributed to this incredible journey.

Your dedication and service has made a meaningful and lasting impact on communities across Tasmania.

👏 Here’s to 50 years of dedication, bravery, and community spirit, and to many more to come.

Our Works Depot became a training ground last night as the Mersey SES Unit put their spill containment skills to the test.

Faced with a simulated mystery liquid leaking from two containers, volunteers used sandbags, Forticon sheeting and teamwork to successfully contain the majority of the spill.

We're proud to support training exercises like these, helping local SES volunteers build the skills and experience needed to respond when our community needs them most.

Thanks to the TAS SES - Mersey Unit for all they do to help keep our region safe.