The community of Tabulam will once again have a strong NSW State Emergency Service (SES) presence, as the local unit comes back online with a fresh cohort of volunteers.
The NSW SES Tabulam Unit returns with renewed determination and community support, as volunteers gear up to resume their critical role in serving the community through floods and storms.
North Eastern Zone Deputy Commander, Superintendent Lacy Loloa said the new and improved unit had been boosted with new assets and a refreshed facility ahead of their reopening on June 5.
“The unit now has a new boat and a new ute to ensure they’re equipped for any job that comes their way,” Superintendent Loloa said.
“We’re looking forward to celebrating the unit being tasked to assist the community once again, and I can’t wait to see the NSW SES State Operations Centre list Tabulam as online.”
Richmond Valley Local Commander, Chief Inspector Hayden Doolan said he was eager to continue working with the local community to build the capability of the unit even further.
“We’ve started to do a lot of community engagement, meeting lots of fresh new faces and names,” Chief Inspector Doolan said.
"We have been offering some mentoring to an Indigenous community from Jubullum Village and, along with our volunteers, they’ve been helping us to inform the community about the NSW SES, what we do and how people can become volunteers.”
“They've been instrumental in spreading awareness about the NSW SES, our mission, and the opportunities for community members to become volunteers."
The revamped unit will be led by Unit Commander Rebecca Malsem and is dedicated to expanding its capabilities.
“We’ve got a couple of young ones and a couple of older ones as well – so it’s a good range of ages and experiences,” Chief Inspector Doolan said.
“It’s great to have the unit back up and running – it’s such an asset for the community as their next closest unit is an hour away.”