How SES volunteers go beyond the call of duty to ensure we are safe during wild weather

VOLUNTEERS like Joe Vurchio have given up their leisure and work hours to clean up and repair massive damages wrought by the hailstorm that smashed The Hills last month.

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BRAVE volunteers like Joe Vurchio have been giving up their leisure and working hours to clean up and repair the massive damages wrought by the hailstorm which smashed several suburbs in The Hills on February 18.

The 60-year-old father of two is typical of the hundreds of State Emergency Service volunteers who put their lives at risk throughout the year to ensure the damaged properties are secured and residents safe until permanent repairs are undertaken.

Yet, Mr Vurchio, who joined the Hills SES unit three years ago after his boss at Johnson and Johnson asked him what he was doing for the community, said the relieved reactions of the property owners is enough to keep them going.

SES volunteers from the Hills unit: Emmanuel Camileri, Jim Wilson and Joe Vurchio.

“This hailstorm has caused the worst damage I have seen as entire roofs have been damaged with the rains making it worse for people,” Mr Vurchio said.

“Entire suburbs have been impacted and when I was on the roof of one of the houses, it looked like a giant checkers board with houses having massive black and blue tarps over them.

“People who have been affected are vulnerable, anxious and in distress and some cling on to you like a drowning person.

From the roof tops, some of the damaged homes with tarps look like a checkerboard, said Joe Vurchio. Picture: David Swift

“I think about 99 per cent of the people welcome us with open arms while you get some who don’t seem to understand what we do and ask us why we are not repairing their roofs.

“Our priority to address immediate emergencies and make the place safe for the residents.

Houses covered by tarps. Picture: Carmela Roche

“We are not qualified to fix roofs and we tell those people to call their insurance agents to repair them.

“However, when we help them, they are so happy they offer us food, drinks, even money, which we cannot accept.”

SES volunteers have helped bring relief for locals affected by diasters,

The Castle Hill local retired from Johnson and Johnson a year ago and said his wife Maria is happy he is involved with the community.

“I feel like Superman when I jump into my SES suit after getting the emergency call and I can be ready in two or three minutes,” Mr Vurchio said.

Mr Vurchio said the impressive training and organisational structure was the thing which attracted him to the SES after he did a Google search to find out how he could help his community, following prompting from his boss.

“The training and support is amazing at the SES and all our teams have wonderful camaraderie,” Mr Vurchio said.

Joe Vurchio gets ready for a job in Rouse Hill.

“Our unit commander Evelyn Lester runs a tight ship and holds the morale together.

“I have been working almost non-stop for the last one and half weeks as the SES has completed more than 1000 jobs.

“Most of us retired folks do the morning shifts so the others who have regular jobs can complete the evening work.

SES crews attend to another job. Picture: Carmela Roche

“Most companies allow their staff to take paid time off to do community work and I had this at my old company.”

According to Mr Vurchio, there are several volunteers in their late seventies while the youngest is around 16 years.

“We all look out for each other because we need to, otherwise someone could get hurt,” said Mr Vurchio, who is now assisting his SES team with flood planning for the area.

FACT BOX

Who: The Hills SES unit based in Baulkham Hills

What they do: Attend to thousands of jobs each year, bringing relief to residents affected by disasters

Run by: More than 120 volunteers and is one of the largest in NSW

Presently: Completing more than 1100 repair jobs on properties and vehicles severely damaged by the recent hailstorm