The Victoria State Emergency Service [VICSES] has called for Brimbank residents to wear a splash of orange on Wednesday, May 18 to celebrate Wear Orange Wednesday as a way to thank volunteers.
Brimbank unit deputy controller in charge of finance and reporting William Burrows said he joined the VICSES in 2012 at the age of 19.
“I joined because I want to do something a bit more fulfilling with my life,” he said.
“I was with the Scouts as a young guy, and I missed that community connection.”
Mr Burrows said he has balanced his volunteering work with his work in IT and his studies in biomedical science.
“I’ve had quite a diverse set of experiences but what has kept me with VICSES for a decade is that I get a lot of personal satisfaction from helping other people,” he said.
“I’ve done just about every bit of training, such as chainsaw operation; working at heights; storm and flood response, like temporary repairs to buildings; four-wheel drive, and urban search and rescue.”
Mr Burrows said he had attended more than 500 requests for assistance throughout his time as a VICSES volunteer but one of the most memorable incidents for him was attending the Bourke Street car attack in 2017.
“With other members of my unit, I was involved with conducting searches for potential evidence over a large area,” he said.
“I remember the silence on the street being quite remarkable, when it’s normally so lively.”
Mr Burrows said his main piece of advice for residents affected by emergency or disaster conditions was to call the SES before attempting to fix any damage.
“Sometimes, you find people will try to do something and it may not be the right thing to do, so make yourself familiar with what to do if an emergency strikes,” he said.
“If you have a hole in your roof, don’t go up there without proper training and equipment.”
Held during National Volunteer Week, WOW Day is an important day of appreciation for volunteers like Mr Burrows, who selflessly dedicate their time and skills to helping their communities during their most acute time of need.
Victorians are encouraged to get their workplaces, families, and friends involved in WOW Day celebrations by wearing orange and posting a photo to social media using the hashtags #WOWDay and #ThankYouSES.
Details: www.wowday.com.au
