Communities across WA are being encouraged to thank their local SES volunteers on Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) on May 23.
Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan said SES volunteers were heroes from all different walks of life who provided an invaluable contribution to community safety.
“They are there securing roofs in the middle of the night in horrendous storms, conducting searches for hours and days on end for missing people, and assisting the community before, during and after cyclonic events,” he said.
“This WOW Day is a great opportunity to simply recognise and thank the men and women who, day and night, put their personal lives on hold to help people in emergencies.”
To show support people are being encouraged to wear orange – the colour of the SES uniform.
One Bunbury man who is no stranger to the bright coloured uniform is Keaton Widmer who joined as a 17-year-old and is now WA’s youngest SES life member.
“From the day I was born I watched my parents do amazing things with the SES, I have now been a member for over a decade and my son now watches me,” he said.
“Throughout my time in the SES, I have been given opportunities to see and do things that I would never have been able to do outside of this amazing organisation.
“I have lead teams on interstate deployments to assist in major disaster relief efforts, I have searched for missing persons, conducted cliff rescues and worked to help communities recover after cyclones.
“I have met and worked alongside great people from all walks of life, I have seen the relief on people’s faces, when they realise that someone has come to help.”
Mr Widmer has been recognised by the community winning a WA Youth Achievement Award and being named the City of Bunbury Young Citizen of the Year in 2009, attributing his success to his life-long involvement in the SES.
“The feelings of self-satisfaction and pride that I get every time that I don my orange uniform, does not compare to anything else that I have ever done,” he said.
“Over my years of volunteering the SES has become my home and its members - my family, I will continue to wear my uniform proudly and help those in need.”
