Narrogin’s SES urges locals to volunteer to learn about storm safety and prepare for this year's storm season

Narrogin’s SES is urging people to get ready for the upcoming storm season and is running hands-on courses for volunteers to teach them how best to prepare. Volunteer SES local manager Susan Wettenhall said the best tip she could give was “don’t think it won’t happen to you”. “Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it won’t happen now,” she said. “In an ideal world, we don’t want to be called out at all and never have to use our equipment because everyone is so well prepared. “But these freak storms are happening more and more often now.” Falling trees and flying objects due to high winds cause most of the storm damage in Narrogin, and seemingly healthy trees are suffering a lot of weakness because of the region’s dry spell. “Even if you don’t know what to do initially, just look at your property and make a plan,” Ms Wettenhall said. She urged people to clean out gutters, cut overhanging trees, and assess older buildings that may leak or collapse to avoid property damage. The SES and the Department of Fire and Emergency Services offer monthly courses for volunteers that teach people how to tie knots, use chainsaws, and gain awareness of general storm safety. “Unfortunately we can’t go and help maintain everybody’s house, but if they volunteer for the SES they will learn how to use equipment properly and safely to do it themselves,” Ms Wettenhall said. She encouraged people to join and said they don’t have to be operational as the SES was a learning opportunity and mentorship experience. “There’s so much to gain and not much to lose for two hours volunteering a month,” Ms Wettenhall said. Phone 131 500 to become a volunteer and book a storm safety course.