Bribie Island Emergency Services Expo 2019: See heroes in action

The latest emergency services equipment and techniques will be on show at the Bribie Island Emergency Services Expo

Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie Island's emergency services liaison Graham Gibb with ambassador Tahnee Gordon, 9.

TAHNEE Gordon has been to every Bribie Island Emergency Services Expo, so she’s particularly excited to be the young ambassador for this year’s event.

The nine-year-old Bribie Island State School student loves to watch the Westpac rescue helicopter in action, and taking a close look at the emergency services vehicles, including the fire trucks.

“I like seeing how heavy the hose is and how many buttons there are,” Tahnee says.

Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) Bribie Island emergency services liaison Graham Gibb says Tahnee won their passport competition last year — collecting a stamp from every stall — and was a logical choice for their first young ambassador.

Ambassador Tahnee Gordon, 9, with her Year 4 Bribie Island State School class.

He says VMR is keen to engage young people in the event so they too can be prepared for disasters. “We want to introduce them to the issue and information. We also want to involve them to let them know about emergency services to get the conversation going at a young age,” Graham says.

The expo, in its sixth year, will be held at Marine Pde, Bellara, on October 13 from 9.45am-2.15pm.

Graham says more than 34 emergency services and community organisations will be involved in the expo, including the Queensland Police Service, Coastguard, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Parks and Wildlife, State Emergency Services, Surf Lifesaving Queensland and RACQ Lifeflight.

“On the island, there have been a number of disasters and incidents. There was a meeting with marine rescue and emergency services (six years ago) to discuss the way emergencies are conducted on the island,” Graham says.

“We thought wouldn’t it be a good idea to get everyone together to showcase the equipment and organisations that would be involved in a disaster?”

“It’s also a chance to promote ‘get ready for summer’, so the community can be as prepared as possible if a disaster happens.”

Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie Island's emergency services liaison Graham Gibb with ambassador Tahnee Gordon, 9.

Emergency services personnel and the latest emergency services equipment will be in action, with a simulated helicopter rescue, bushfire display, surf lifesaving rescue, kitchen fire demonstration and life raft deployment.

“It’s all about preparedness and showcasing what assets are available by this organisation that benefit the community and support the community in times of disaster,” Graham says.

“We like to think it’s an action-packed day.”

There will also be face painting and jumping castle for the kids, information stalls, sausage sizzle and more.

Moreton Bay SES controller Henk Van Den Ende.

Look out for ‘mates’ in orange overalls

FOR Henk Van Den Ende being an SES volunteer has always been about “mates helping mates”, so it’s safe to say he’s come to the aid of a few friends in need during his 43 years’ service.

These days, Henk is not only helping mates in the general community but also those standing beside him in bright orange overalls.

For the past eight years, he’s been the SES controller for the Moreton Bay Region — contracted by Moreton Bay Regional Council to oversee the management, welfare and training of about 350 volunteers.

“They are a very dedicated group of volunteers,” Henk says. “I have a great passion for our volunteers and make sure they’re looked after, are well trained, and have a reason for being in the SES.” He joined after heading along to a school fete with his brother and neighbour, where he heard about the then new organisation and how they could get involved.

Like most of his volunteers, he was motivated by a desire to help others.

“I’ve always felt it’s amazing what we’re doing,” he says.

“To have a volunteer organisation that enables us to help each other — mates helping mates. We rely on people’s life skills. Everyone comes with something to offer. We relish that offer and the ability they come with.”

Henk’s SES team was the first on the ground in Tully Heads, after cyclone Yasi, and he says they faced a scene of utter devastation.

He recounts a woman whose house had been flooded by the tidal surge who was overwhelmed by the damage. Her husband was in an equal state of shock.

The team was able to help them with the clean-up and truly ease their distress.

Henk, 63, says sometimes they can’t do anything but just asking, ‘are you OK?’ can make a difference.

After the 2015 floods, local SES crews were vital in the clean-up, spending one week to 10 days helping residents in the worst-affected areas including Major St, Deception Bay.

SES volunteers will be on-hand at the Bribie Island Emergency Services Expo on October 13 to speak about their role and help residents be prepared for storms, bushfires and other emergencies.

Henk says people need to ensure they can be self-reliant for 48 hours, if need be.

He believes it’s particularly important this message is shared with children and young people, who will take it in to adulthood and hopefully ensure their parents are prepared.

“It’s learning life skills that will hold them in good stead in the future in times of disaster,” he says.

BE READY FOR BUSHFIRES

Queensland faces a significant bushfire risk this season, so it’s essential to prepare your home, property and family

● Sign-up to Moreton Alert for bushfire warnings

● Create a bushfire survival plan

● Prepare a bushfire evacuation kit

● Check your suburb’s bushfire risk

● Stay alert — listen/look out for emergency warnings

Start planning now at moretonbay.qld.gov.au/bushfire

EMERGENCY SERVICES EXPO

What: See the emergency services personnel and the latest equipment in action. There will also be stalls, free face painting and jumping castle

When: October 13, 9.45am-2.15pm

Where: Marine Pde, Bellara