By Jessica Anstice
It all started with an article published by the Pakenham Gazette in 1984 encouraging volunteers to join the local SES.
Pakenham SES volunteer, Chris Rogers, plays a key role behind the scenes of saving lives.
“I decided to join up with the aim of assisting in the community where I lived, and also to learn new skills whilst being a team member of an emergency organisation,” Mr Rogers said.
“There have been many memorable moments in my 36 years as a volunteer but a recent highlight was being a team member of a Gippsland based helicopter air rescue support operation during the 2019 – 2020 bushfires.”
As a team member of Pakenham SES, Mr Rogers assists with flood and storm operations, road crash rescues, search and rescues, as well as the training side of road crash rescue.
Like all emergency services through the coronavirus pandemic, the Pakenham SES unit is still responding to calls for assistance.
“During this period we have been attending many storm related events, as well as road crash rescues,” he added.
“As a service we are more cautious in our response and that requires more use of personal protective equipment.”
