Craigieburn SES puts out the SOS for old cars to train volunteers

SES volunteers come to our rescue without a second thought. Now they need our help.

The Craigieburn SES has put a call out for people to donate vehicles to assist with their emergency training. They need cars that they can effectively break in to. The cars can only be used once or twice before they get rid of them, so they need quite a few. We've decided to turn it into a campaign. Alan Penaluna.

THEY’RE the everyday heroes who appear in a flash no matter what the emergency.

But this time it’s the selfless volunteers in orange who are putting out a call for help.

Craigieburn State Emergency Service is halfway through a road crash rescue course, an intensive six-month program giving members the practical skills to save trapped motorists in the most critical of cases.

But without vehicles to practise on, the crew’s eight newest volunteers are at risk of missing out on vital training.

That’s why the Hume Leader has started the SOS for SES campaign, aiming to secure at least 15 vehicles for the unit.

Past controller Kevin O’Callaghan said they were after vehicles of all types, including six for the volunteers’ assessment in October.

Currently, they have just four cars.

The Craigieburn SES has put a call out for people to donate vehicles to help with their emergency training.

As part of the course, Mr O’Callaghan said members spent two hours each ­Wednesday night going over tactics to help pry open vehicles in a range of mock scenarios including head-on collisions and car rollovers using the jaws of life — hydraulic tools needed to extract doors, side panels and roofs.

Each car can only be used once or twice, allowing each person just a few minutes on the tools.

“To train a person effectively, they probably need to work on about six to seven cars,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“It’s absolutely fundamental.

“If we teach it as real as we can, then on the road there’s nothing to shock them, there’s nothing to surprise them.

“It really is the bread and butter of what we do.”

The road crash rescue course runs every two years and is one of the most comprehensive that members engage in. It has also proven helpful for neighbouring CFA members.

Section leader of training Michael Casha said giving volunteers the opportunity to practise on real cars was important and something textbooks couldn’t teach.

“It’s really good for us to try out different techniques,” Mr Casha said.

Vehicles of all makes and models are needed and pick-up can be arranged.

Members of the community or businesses that can help can call 0422 458 724, email craigieburn@ses. vic.gov.au or contact Hume Leader on 9875 8464.

BUSINESS STEPS UP TO GIFT CARS

A GENEROUS Broadmeadows business has kickstarted the SOS for SES campaign by donating 10 crumpled cars to Craigieburn SES.

DIY Auto Parts has agreed to hand over the vehicles, which can be returned once volunteers have completed their training.

The self-serve wreckers is new to the area, opening at its Camp Rd site late last year.

Operations manager Sean Vains said they were happy to help out.

“Since we’ve taken it over (the site), we’ve improved security, added a lot more stuff, improved our range,” he said.

“The next evolution since it started is community engagement.

“The SES is a vital cog to the community and we’re happy to contribute in any way possible.”

The business stocks about 900 cars of various makes and models, including newer vehicles.

Craigieburn SES section leader of training Michael Casha said it was great to see people on board the campaign already.

“It’s awesome. It is a big investment to give us the cars,” Mr Casha said. “It’s encouraging us to keep doing what we’re doing”