Moruya’s Lloyd Jones likes to help people in a pickle.
The NSW State Emergency Services (SES) Moruya Unit field operation coordinator said he found it rewarding to travel elsewhere in the state and assist SES where needed.
“I have the time,” Mr Jones said.
“I get to meet interesting people – I like to help out people who are in a bit of a pickle.”
Mr Jones traveled north to assist with flood rescue and clean-up around Lismore, on Friday March 31.
Mr Jones said it took longer than expected to reach Lismore – flooding forced alternative routes along the way – he didn’t see action until Saturday morning.
“I was teamed up with two other travelling SES guys. One was from Bankstown and the other from Liverpool,” Mr Jones said.
“It was great the training across the SES is so consistent. Individuals from three different units could work well together.”
The team were deployed in water rescue.
“The thing was the scale of it,” Mr Jones said.
“The amount of water was what surprised me.
“After the flood subsided, we returned to where we launched the boat: It was on top of a basketball court. The water had covered the lot.”
It wasn’t just the amount of water which concerned Mr Jones.
“The water was so dirty, with much and sewage. It was a disease risk,” he said.
“It was like driving the boat through gravy.”
And after the flood, the clean-up began.
“The trash was lining the streets, you couldn’t see the houses,” Mr Jones said.
Mr Jones avoided bringing home any noxious disease but did bring home some operational ideas.
“There are things other groups do better and things we do better: it’s always good to pick up some new tricks,” Mr Jones said.
“What was clear is how good our communications are here in the Eurobodalla. Not just between the different SES branches, but with other emergency services, like the Rural Fire Service.”
Meanwhile, in the Eurobodalla, the SES Moruya unit had been called to assist in more routine operations, including a tree branch on a power line on South Head Road, Moruya, on Monday, April 3, and a leaking roof at Mystery Bay on Tuesday, April 4.
