Queensland's State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers have once again demonstrated outstanding dedication and resilience during a busy start to the year, responding to multiple severe weather events on top of their usual requests for assistance.
The SES has been an integral part of the emergency service response, including during the floods in North Queensland, Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the devastating inundation in Central and South Western Queensland.
SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong recognised the volunteers' tireless work, not just during these recent disasters, but also responding to other operational tasks as well.
"We have had a very busy and challenging start to the year. Our volunteers all around the state have all pitched in to assist the communities in need," said SES Chief Officer Mark Armstrong.
"They've also been involved in search and rescues, training programs, agency requests and so much more. No matter the job, our volunteers are always so willing to give their time and expertise to help."
How you can say thank you to the SES - Wear Orange Wednesday, May 21
Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) on May 21, is the national day to celebrate and thank SES volunteers for their ongoing contributions. It takes place annually on the Wednesday of National Volunteer Week which runs from May 19 through to May 25.
You can get involved in the following ways:
- Add a splash of orange to your outfit for the day and take part in any WOW celebrations in your area.
- Take a photo of yourself donned in something orange and post it on social media along with the #thankyouSES and #WOWDAY hashtags.
Chief Officer Armstrong encouraged the public to show their gratitude to the volunteers in this way.
"This is a chance for you to thank the people who go above and beyond for their community. They go out of their way to help, so it's important we acknowledge that dedication and show our appreciation for all their hard work," Chief Officer Armstrong said.
North Queensland Floods - January/February
North Queensland experienced heavy rainfall and intense flooding at the end of January and into February, with some areas receiving more than 1.2 meters of rain in a short period.
More than 500 Queensland SES members were deployed, responding to nearly 3,000 calls for assistance across the month, conducting multiple rescues and providing vital support to affected residents.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred - March
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which made landfall in early March, brought with it heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and significant storm surges.
In preparation, the SES and Queensland Police Service (QPS), alongside local councils and disaster management groups, distributed more than a million sandbags across Brisbane and surrounding regions to mitigate potential flooding.
Due to the dense population of South East Queensland, the SES received close to 15,000 requests for assistance before, during and after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
With many of the volunteers being personally affected, over 300 SES members from across Australia were deployed to South East Queensland to assist.
Central and South West Floods - March/April
In late March, Central and South West Queensland were affected by severe flooding. In some areas, levels surpassed the 1974 floods.
SES field operations were based out of Longreach and Charleville as the only way into some isolated communities was by air.
SES were airlifted into town to assist with resupply of essential food and equipment, and they also helped with fodder drops for livestock.
With such an eventful start to 2025, it is easy to forget that our SES volunteers and other emergency services were out in numbers last year throughout the severe weather season, right back to widespread heavy rain and severe storms starting in August and continuing through until Christmas.
WOW - Wednesday 21 May
As a token of appreciation for the tireless efforts of SES volunteers, we encourage all Queenslanders to participate in Wear Orange Wednesday on May 21.
By wearing orange attire, we can collectively show our gratitude and support for these everyday heroes who selflessly serve our communities.
For more information and resources, head to https://www.ses.qld.gov.au/wow
