More than 150 NSW SES members came together in a live, learning-focussed environment at the Penrith Whitewater facility on 8 and 9 November, to test and strengthen their flood rescue competencies.
Seven teams, made up of volunteers from each NSW SES zone, were put through their paces in the series of realistic scenarios including a mass-casualty rescue simulation, vehicle extrications from floodwaters and people being swept away in swift water conditions.
The Challenge comes after an increasingly busy year for the NSW SES, with back-to-back severe weather events keeping volunteers on their toes. This year alone, NSW SES members have responded to more than 1,100 flood rescues across the state, a more than doubling of incidents compared to the same period in 2024, where members undertook nearly 400 flood rescues.
NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Dean Storey said the scenarios were designed to match real-life rescues that members continue to be faced with, while building teamwork, confidence and capability.
"This Challenge is about more than competition. It's about giving our volunteers the chance to practise, learn and refine the specialist skills they need to save lives in floodwaters," Assistant Commissioner Storey said.
"By placing members into teams they don't usually respond with, we are encouraging collaboration and adaptability, which mirrors the real-life situations they face when responding to multi-unit or multi-agency emergencies.
"The scenarios are challenging, the conditions are dynamic, and that's exactly how we build confidence and operational excellence."
The Flood Rescue Challenge is part of the NSW SES's ongoing commitment to enhancing flood rescue response.
Since 2022, the NSW SES has trained more than 2,000 SES members and emergency service partner personnel in flood rescue.
Assistant Commissioner Storey said the Flood Rescue Challenge was another step in building a stronger capability to meet the ever-increasing demands of the community.
"As the combat agency for flood rescue in NSW, our members are already some of the most highly trained operators in the country, and this event is about taking that expertise even further," he said.
"This Challenge is about ensuring that when the next flood emergency comes, our volunteers are ready to respond as safely and effectively as possible."
NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services the hon. Charisma Kaliyanda said the level of skill, fitness and courage displayed by volunteers is truly remarkable.
"Over the weekend, they competed in a controlled environment, but during weather events these volunteers put their lives on the line to keep communities safe," she said.
"Every volunteer will return home better skilled in flood rescue, and that's a fantastic outcome for the people of NSW."
NSW SES Flood Rescue Challenge competitors from Metro Zone:
| Name | ||
Aaron Vom Bruch Pilar Lorenzo Kai Kennig Ryan Rewi Dan Hines Adrian Phu Dugald Parker Zachariah Ullrich Shannen Hoynes Jaala Cusack Gabe Mihalas Matt Mcinnes Grahame Stevens |
Bankstown Unit Ashfield-Leichardt Unit Ryde Unit Blacktown Unit Penrith Unit Bankstown Unit Blacktown Unit Marrickville Unit Bayside Unit Manly Unit Bayside Unit Mosman Unit Bankstown Unit |
In Water Operator Land Based Operator Land Based Operator In Water Operator On Water Operator In Water Operator In Water Operator Land Based Operator In Water Operator Land Based Operator In Water Operator Land Mased Operator On Water Operator |
