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Offline Bunyip

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SES or RFS
« on: September 03, 2013, 08:22:04 PM »
Hi All,

Looking to join either the SES or RFS but having had little to do with either before now does anyone have any suggestions?

Stuck in the house and being driven mad, I have volunteered for the last 15 years or so and would now like to do something different. Scouts and sports clubs are great, don't get me wrong but I think RFS or SES would be a better fit for me.

Bunyip
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Offline cruisindub

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2013, 08:45:47 PM »
Go and introduce yourself and see what you think, meet the guys, have a chat, see how they interact with you.

Many years ago, was volunteer in WA FRS, after being involved for a number of years, I didnt like the way a few were running the brigade to suit themselves and a few other internal issues.
A few thought they were superior and didnt like new guys coming in.

I backed out and didnt go further, I joined Sea rescue and had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed dedicating my time there.

Now returning back to shore based and met a few SES guys and it could be my next volunteer role.

See what you feel like after going there. A good volly organisation will welcome you and show you around and do some introduction days and make you feel welcome.
I would go back to the FRS, but the same people who turned me away years back and are still there. I loved my time in FRS and would like to put my training to the good of the community.
Perhaps SES will get my time and dedication they dont seem as aloof as others, but thats here in my town.
GO down, check it out and see what you feel comfortable with.
You might like both, why not, join both organisations and meet yet more people and contacts and settle into your new town better.

Go check it out and see how you feel.
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Offline oldmate

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2013, 08:52:49 PM »
I grew up in the blue mountains and was involved with the rfs while there. My father was the captain of the local brigade and I started hanging out there when I was 13.  Learnt lots and lots, was a deputy captain by the time I was 17 and then moved to Qld when I was 23, so haven't been involved since, except when I went back for holiday (Xmas) in 2001 and the day I landed a fire started and I ended up helping again for the next 2 weeks. Have though pt about getting involved up here but time is the thing. My brother is still heavily involved in the upper mountains still.

Just go and suss out both groups and see where you will fit in best.
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Offline oldmate

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2013, 09:17:32 PM »
Lol. Got me reminiscing now, and thinking of my time and the old man, he was in a movie many years ago when I was a young fella, this is the trailer for it. He is the guy with the white helmet at about the 50 sec mark hiding behind his captain lol. And that old 6x6 studebaker truck was something that I have a lot of childhood memories climbing all over the thing
Small | Large


Opps sorry mate, taking your thread off a bit lol
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Offline Bird

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2013, 10:14:04 PM »
If you don't like politics, just walk away from both.

Spent ~14yrs in RFS as everything from a numpty to CL Trainer... But in the end, politics and the fun went out of it, time to walk away for me.
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Offline areyonga

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2013, 10:15:36 PM »
Go to both and see what the vibes are like, I was originally is the volunteer fire brigade and then for many years in the SES and later went to being a full time SES Regional Officer and loved every minute of it.  After many years as a SESRO I went to the Federal Govt and ended up doing a lot of work with the United Nations which would not have been possible without my Volunteer background as originally I was a tradie.  Its a great life change and have met many good friends and learnt many new skills through the time.

Go for it

Trevor
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Offline Symon

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2013, 10:18:28 PM »
Both organisations are very worthy and contribute greatly to the community, however having said that it really does come down to the individuals in your local group.

I was very active in the SES for a number of years and loved it, I then moved for work and decided to check out the local SES unit where I moved to and I was bitterly disappointed.  The leader running the group was a tool and there was a number of people who seemed hell bent on running it like Dad's army.

I've never been in the RFS but again being in the SES you do have a bit to do with them, and there are good groups and not so good groups as well.
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Offline Squalo

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2013, 03:36:18 AM »
The above comments sum it up pretty well. I spent nearly ten years with an SES unit in Sydney and the bickering and politics nearly made me leave a few times, but you learn to ignore it.

With RFS now and am really enjoying it, thankfully got a good bunch of guys who don't run things according to their egos or insecurities...
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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2013, 07:59:50 AM »
My son is in the CFS here in Adelaide. I don't know if its any different interstate, but they have recruiting periods over here. Unless you are on the recruit list, you can't simply rock up and start training.
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Offline Bunyip

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #9 on: September 04, 2013, 08:12:02 AM »
Thanks Guys,

From websites they say call the local guys and see what the story is about entry periods etc..

I will visit both and see how it goes.

After 15 years of politics and people with selfish motives are old news to us.

Bunyip
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Offline db

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #10 on: September 04, 2013, 06:41:01 PM »
Quote from: Marschy on September 04, 2013, 07:59:50 AM
My son is in the CFS here in Adelaide. I don't know if its any different interstate, but they have recruiting periods over here. Unless you are on the recruit list, you can't simply rock up and start training.
I'm in the CFS, to clarify, you can join up at any time, but before you can start doing anything much you need to have police clearance done, at which point you can officially join the brigade (after they accept you, should be a formality). but before you can go to incidents you have to do basic training, and that means waiting for a course and getting on it. Many brigades focus recruiting just before up coming courses so new recruits aren't left hanging waiting for a course.
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Offline ivan

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #11 on: September 04, 2013, 09:01:25 PM »
I have been in ses for 30yrs.Where I am we do the usual storm and flood stuff as well as road crash rescue,general rescue and vertical rescue.All of that takes a lot of commitment but the rewards outweigh the work.I am sure the rfs would be the similar.
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Offline Crisp Image

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #12 on: September 04, 2013, 09:28:05 PM »
Go SES. I mean how hard is it to put wet stuff on hot stuff? Lots of different things in SES to keep you busy.
By the way I am 24 years SES.
And no disrespect to CFS or CFA about the wet stuff hot stuff gag. We all have the good of our community in mind and both are worthy groups.
Regards
Crispy
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Offline Squalo

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #13 on: September 04, 2013, 10:32:01 PM »
I would agree, in SES I did:

- crowd control when two Skycrane waterbombers and other helos were operating out of a northern Sydney sportsground
- lots of stuff for Hornsby Heights RFS which was the main control centre for Kuringai fires - collecting truckloads of water, Subway rolls etc.
- traffic control and roadblocks for bushfires
- chainsaw team going through after fires and dropping widowmakers and other potentially dangerous trees
- crowd control at Bondi Beach Pavillion for end of City To Surf
- Anzac Day ceremonies - seating VIPS etc.
- Public demonstrations of rescue techniques
- Traffic control for fun runs and other community events
- The usual flood and storm damage clean-ups, these can be a lot of fun

RFS isn't as varied, that is true. But I find that with RFS there's generally a lot of stuff to just get in and do, whereas with SES there is a lot of waiting around... our unofficial motto was "Hurry up and wait" :)
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Offline Bird

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #14 on: September 04, 2013, 10:45:25 PM »
Quote from: Crisp Image on September 04, 2013, 09:28:05 PM
Go SES. I mean how hard is it to put wet stuff on hot stuff?
It can be harder than it looks..  Go into the hot fire training ground with BA on and see how easy it is, or hot ground training at a Refinery :D


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By the way I am 24 years SES.
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Offline db

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #15 on: September 05, 2013, 07:57:59 AM »
Quote from: Squalo on September 04, 2013, 10:32:01 PM
... our unofficial motto was "Hurry up and wait" :)

Funnily enough that is one we use too in the CFS (and I suspect RFS and CFA etc) - usually when responding on a strike team
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Offline CGS

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SES or RFS
« Reply #16 on: September 05, 2013, 04:32:28 PM »
Leave the water fairies to play with water and SES is full of red tape.
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Offline Crisp Image

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #17 on: September 05, 2013, 05:55:05 PM »
Quote from: Lost on September 04, 2013, 10:45:25 PM
It can be harder than it looks..  Go into the hot fire training ground with BA on and see how easy it is, or hot ground training at a Refinery :D

Come and fight a coal fire at work and you know the definition of hot! Been in BA on a hot fire ground as part of work so know where you are coming form.

As for the sandwiches........ Well we have to eat. ;D
Regards
Crispy
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Offline fabulous

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Re: SES or RFS
« Reply #18 on: September 05, 2013, 08:10:05 PM »
I'm in SES.

I don't like fire unless sitting around 1 camping.

SES still has it's challenges and has a very wide range of work !
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