We help the Police with searches for lost people or for evidence. We also assist other agencies in managing disasters such as bushfires, earthquakes, landslides, and technological disasters. We educate the community on how they can protect themselves and their property, and we tell them about our roles. We assist in community events, providing services such as traffic and crowd management and first aid. Hundreds of SES volunteers helped during the Olympics, the Torch Relay, and the Centenary of Federation Parade.
Volunteers train one night each week, and occasionally on weekends.
Training covers flood and storm preparation and response, first aid, general rescue techniques, radio communications, and logistics. There are also many roles in each local Unit that require skills in computing, administration, public relations, community education, media, research, and welfare.