SES Groups support community through both State and local government funded operations. A range of resources is essential to deliver the service operations and both levels of government make significant contributions to the costs of the SES.
Some SES Groups 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:
- Arana Hills Support Group Inc
- State Emergency Service Buchan Point Group Incorporated
- Bundaberg Unit State Emergency Service Support Group Incorporated
- Bribie Island State Emergency Services Support Group Inc
- Caboolture State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Cairns State Emergency Service Support Group Incorporated
- Coolum SES Support Group Inc
- Forest Hill SES Support Group Inc
- Fraser Coast SES Support Group Inc
- Gatton State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Gin Gin State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Gordonvale SES Support Group Inc
- Glasshouse Mountains State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Holloways Beach SES Support Group Inc
- State Emergency Service Kenilworth Support Association Inc
- Redcliffe SES Financial Support Group Inc
- Redlands Emergency Services Volunteers Association Incorporated
- Scenic Rim SES West Support Group Inc
- South Burnett SES Support Group Inc
- Townsville Area State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Trinity Beach Emergency Service Support Group Inc
- Weipa State Emergency Service Support Group Inc
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 restrictions around what kind of equipment can be donated in different areas, mostly brought about by 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. SES Groups have access to a list of equipment (and the approved brands) that best suit the needs of the service and SES and Council will work together with donors to best utilise the generous community support.
Items of equipment that can readily be donated, include 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 brands and models for these items, and any items that are not on this list should be directed to the local SES or 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.
*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.