The event will show residents what the local unit does to help the community prepare for, respond to and recover from severe weather events like floods, storms and tsunamis.

Residents will be able to observe training demonstrations, pick up tips on how to prepare properties for the current storm season, undertake a tour of the facilities and vehicles and talk to unit members about volunteering opportunities.

The open day will run from 10am to 3pm.

NSW SES Taree City Unit Commander Glenn Laycock said the open day is not to be missed.

“The open day is a great opportunity for people to come along and find out who we are and what we do.

“There will be a free sausage sizzle, displays, tours and activities for all ages,” Mr Laycock said.

He added the unit is always looking for new volunteers.

“We are also very keen to talk to people interested in volunteering for the NSW SES Taree City Unit.

“We have a range of flexible volunteering options for folks in a variety of roles ranging from storm and water damage field operators, through to important administrative and coordination jobs in our operations control centre,” Mr Laycock said. 

The Taree City unit is comprised of 77 volunteers who undertake a range of activities such as making safe properties damaged by storms and floods, conducting flood rescues, weekly training in emergency management skills, educating the community about how to prepare for emergencies as well as assisting other emergency services such as the NSW Police with land searches.

Last weekend, the unit responded to eight requests for assistance in relation to leaking roofs, fallen trees and flash flooding brought about by heavy rain and strong winds.

The unit is one of the busiest on the Mid North Coast, receiving an average of 154 requests for emergency assistance per year.

For more information on NSW SES visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au.

For emergency assistance in floods and storms call NSW SES on 132 500.