Equipment gift boosts SES capacity

By Sarah Thompson
PAKENHAM SES was last week presented with equipment worth more than $900 as part of insurance company AAMI’s $500 000 partnership with the Victorian SES.
The $971 side stabilisation kit was presented to Pakenham SES controller Andrew Graham and administration officer Debbie Graham, during a ceremony at the SES central region headquarters last Tuesday.
“The kit is used for road rescue. It’s something we have needed for a little while,” Mr Graham said.
AAMI general manager of the southern region, Anthony Durakovic, presented the two with the valuable equipment.
“Today’s handover will further boost the Pakenham SES unit’s emergency response capacity,” he said.
Mr Durakovic went on to say that the partnership between the SES and AAMI had been so successful that AAMI will continue to provide rescue equipment to the SES units through to 2008.
“We’re thrilled to continue to support the SES, whose volunteers so generously donate their time during severe storms and floods, in road accidents and in search and rescue operations,” he said.
Victoria SES chief executive officer Mary Barry thanked AAMI for its continuing support.
“The contribution that AAMI makes is of immense value to the SES.
“These equipment handovers help our volunteers provide a vital emergency service role in their local communities,” Ms Barry said.