A group of Bunbury, Murray, Australind, and Collie State Emergency Services volunteers recently provided assistance to community members in the Shire of Esperance.
In February and March, emergency services personnel fought to contain multiple bushfires spread throughout the region.
Among their many duties, the South West SES volunteers conducted two-way radio and email communications, monitored personnel movements, provided support to divisional commanders, and manned the Esperance Incident Control Vehicle.
SES volunteers also assisted the firefighters, helicopter teams, water bombers, and other personnel battling the fires.
Bunbury SES Unit operations centre manager Emma Ness thanked the Esperance community for its kindness.
"Esperance was wonderful. The people were so welcoming and thankful for our assistance," she said.
"The local bowling club opened its doors every morning and every night so we had a 'mess hall' to eat in. They supplied us with free cool drinks and dinner.
"They also let us pull a piece of fencing out and put in a temporary gate, so volunteers didn't have to walk far to eat. It was just an amazing community.
"It was overwhelming but much appreciated."
Ms Ness said the volunteers worked together to fulfil their roles effectively.
"The deployment was an amazing experience. Everyone who attended learnt lots of new things and, although it was a short deployment, it was a rewarding deployment," she said.
"I was given the opportunity to serve as Incident Control Vehicle Crew Leader for the first time, and I was faced with many new challenges.
"The staff and volunteers from the various organisations that we worked with were so helpful, and made our experience a thoroughly enjoyable one."
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