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AAMI donates 11 chainsaws to SES units in Melbourne’s north and northwest

Thousands of dollars worth of equipment, including 11 chainsaws, has been donated to State Emergency Service units across Melbourne’s north and northwest to help them keep communities safe.

Northcote SES members Ray Dark, Jill Perrett, David Brian, Guiseppe Nicastri, Peter Marshall, Scott Greenham and Jim Carruthers with their new equipment. Picture: Rob Leeson.
Northcote SES members Ray Dark, Jill Perrett, David Brian, Guiseppe Nicastri, Peter Marshall, Scott Greenham and Jim Carruthers with their new equipment. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Thousands of dollars worth of equipment, including 11 chainsaws, has been donated to State Emergency Service units across Melbourne’s north and northwest to help them keep communities safe.

Victorian SES principal community partner AAMI donated the funds to allow units to buy essential emergency response equipment as part of the AAMI Handover Program.

More than 2000 pieces of equipment will be purchased across the state through the latest donation.

Among those units in the north and northwest to benefit handsomely were Whittlesea, who received five chainsaws, Footscray with 22 traffic cones, Broadmeadows with five fire blankets and Craigieburn with two chainsaws.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE WHAT YOUR LOCAL UNIT GOT

Northcote SES members Ray Dark, Jill Perrett, David Brian, Guiseppe Nicastri, Peter Marshall, Scott Greenham and Jim Carruthers with their new equipment. Picture: Rob Leeson.
Northcote SES members Ray Dark, Jill Perrett, David Brian, Guiseppe Nicastri, Peter Marshall, Scott Greenham and Jim Carruthers with their new equipment. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Northcote also received a significant boost with two electric chainsaws, four chainsaw chains, two traffic wands, an automated external defibrillator and a worklight lamp.

Northcote unit deputy controller administration Shane Frost said they were grateful for the continued support of AAMI, as well as the Bendigo Bank, who put up money for the defibrillator.

“All items allow us to continue to service our community,” he said.

“Such grants are vital for volunteers to buy and maintain up-to-date equipment.”

SES volunteers in the central region, which covers 35 units across metropolitan Melbourne, responded to 12,520 calls for assistance and clocked 95,175 operational hours.

Northcote SES was donated new portable chainsaws, traffic wands and a defibrillator. Picture: Rob Leeson.
Northcote SES was donated new portable chainsaws, traffic wands and a defibrillator. Picture: Rob Leeson.

AAMI has been the Victorian SES’ principal community partner since 2002, during which time they have contributed $8.5 million, with a large amount going directly to volunteer units through the equipment handover program.

SES volunteers provide on the ground support during emergencies, including natural disasters such as floods, storms, tsunamis, earthquakes and landslides, as well as road rescues, land searches and supporting other emergency service organisations.

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SES central region manager Ray Jasper said volunteers were highly skilled to help save lives.

“Thanks to AAMI, our volunteers are armed with the best equipment to support the community,” he said.

AAMI Head of Motor and Property Claims Paul Sofronoff said they were proud of their 17-year partnership with the VICSES.

“(We) hope our contribution to the new equipment will help make our communities safer,” he said.

For assistance in flood, storm, tsunami and earthquake emergencies, call 132 500.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/aami-donates-11-chainsaws-to-ses-units-in-melbournes-north-and-northwest/news-story/0e7ad147af8df5db358b94379e1ee357