New South Wales | SES volunteer praised for rescue efforts
NSW SES volunteer, Robert McFarland with NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear speaking at a press conference earlier today. Image courtesy of City of Sydney Council.
Sydney | 20 Feb 2012
Ten people have been single-handedly rescued from floodwater by a NSW SES volunteer in Sydney overnight.
Robert McFarland, from the SES City of Sydney Unit was first on the scene in his role as a council worker for the City of Sydney. He arrived at Joynton Street in Zetland shortly after 10pm where he found several people trapped in vehicles that were submerged in water that was about chest height.
Being a specially trained Flood Rescue Operator, Robert managed to safely rescue 6 people and with the help of other emergency service personnel he was able to get another 4 people out of their vehicles.
NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear has praised the efforts of Robert and the other emergency service members.
“Our emergency service personnel do a terrific job in helping people in times of crisis. Robert, in particular, has shown great dedication and courage to get these people out of their vehicles and to safety,” Commissioner Kear said.
“Robert is just one example of the 10,000 volunteers the NSW SES has across the state who give up their time to help people in times of crisis. The NSW SES has several specially trained Flood Rescue Operators that are on hand to respond to these types of situations,” Commissioner Kear added.
Having been a volunteer with the NSW SES for the past 20 years, Robert MacFarland is no stranger to flash flooding and says last night’s flood rescue was all in a day’s work.
“I just want to be able to help people,” he told a press conference earlier today. “However, it makes my job easier if people can remember to stay out of floodwater. If you see that the road is blocked, turn around and go back or call the SES on 132 500 for assistance.”
NSW SES Commissioner has urged residents to be prepared for the possibility of further flash flooding as storm season continues throughout the state.
“We are well into the storm season and this latest storm is just one example of how dangerous they storms be. I’d urge everyone to prepare their homes now by clearing gutters and downpipes and securing or putting away any loose items around the backyard that can blow around and cause damage,” Commissioner Kear explained.
“If you’re driving in bad weather, drive to the conditions and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater,” he said.
Learn how to be StormSafe .
For emergency help in a storm or flood call the SES on 132 500. Dial 000 in a life threatening emergency.
New South Wales | 8,000 isolated by floodwater and more to come
NSW | 20 Feb 2012
Around 8,000 people in the north west of New South Wales remain isolated by floodwater and that number is expected to rise to up to 10,000 as the floods move further west of the state.
Towns like Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Collarenebri, Weilmoringle and Goodooga are currently isolated and these areas are expected to remain cut off by floodwater for several weeks to come.
While rainfall has been minimal in these places, the floodwater still remains high and is continuing to move further west. Approximately 1,000 residents in Brewarrina are expected to become cut off by next week and possibly 1,500 people in Bourke a couple of weeks later.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for Weilmoringle, Goodooga Reserve and Namoi Village and Evacuation Warnings are current for Goodooga and Alice Edwards Village at Bourke.
NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear, said now is the time for residents in these areas to prepare for the incoming floodwater.
“We’re asking people to make sure they have enough supplies to last them for the duration of the flood,” Commissioner Kear said. “Livestock and equipment should be moved to higher ground and plenty of feed for animals should be made available.”
“People driving through floodwater is the leading cause of death and injury in a flood so it’s important for residents to remember to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater. Floodwater can also contain diseases, hidden snags and rubbish so please don’t let your children play in it,” Commissioner Kear explained.
With the assistance of other emergency service agencies, the NSW SES is delivering vital supplies like fresh food and fuel to isolated communities. Resupply efforts have been enhanced by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), providing a C130 Hercules aircraft which delivered more than 19 tonnes of goods to Lightning Ridge this week.
Residents in isolated areas needing assistance are advised to call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations dial 000.
Learn how to be FloodSafe .
New South Wales | Busy night for SES volunteers due to storms
Sydney Metro Area | 20 Feb 2012
Overnight severe storms affected the Illawarra and particularly the Sydney Metropolitan area. Storms resulted in over 330 requests for assistance being received by the NSW SES. The majority of these were in the southern and western suburbs of Sydney.
The storms resulted in localised very heavy rain with 26mm in 10 minutes recorded at Peakhurst and 18mm in 10 minutes at Sydney airport. Terry Hills received 51mm in one hour. These high rainfall rates in many areas resulted in flash flooding, with the NSW SES undertaking flood rescues in a diverse range of suburbs including Taren Point, Sylvania, Darlington, Padstow Heights, Canada Bay, Gymea, Rosebery, Banksia, Mortdale Zetland and Alexandria. At one of these rescues at Zetland an SES volunteer with flood rescue training rescued 10 people trapped in their vehicles, with emergency services including the NSW SES and Police Rescue assisting a further 10 persons. The other rescues undertaken by the NSW SES were for people who were trapped in vehicles due to flash flooding.
There have been reports of trees and branches down as well as localised flash flooding threatening homes and reports of leaking roofs causing propewrty damage.
With further storms forecast for today the NSW SES is asking people in areas likely to experience storms to prepare by cleaning gutters, drains and downpipes, trimming overhanging trees and branches, securing or bringing inside loose items from yards and balconies and ensuring that their roof is in good repair.
If you need the assistance of the NSW SES call 132 500. If it is a life-threatening emergency call 000 immediately.
New South Wales | Access to Walgett and Collarenebri restored, partial access to LIghtning Ridge
NSW | 20 Feb 2012
Minor to major flooding is continuing along the Barwon River at Mogil Mogil, Collarenebri and Walgett, and where river levels continue to fall slowly. Isolated properties in the north east of the Walgett Shire are now slowly having access restored as flood waters continue to recede and local unsealed roads dry out.
The Gwydir Highway between Collarenebri and Moree, and Collarenebri and Walgett has been opened to all traffic. This has restored access to the 1800 residents of Walgett and the around 500 residents of Collarenebri.
The Castlereagh Highway 4km north of Walgett has been opened at Pagans Creek to all vehicles.
Acceess to Lightning Ridge is only for high clearance vehicles on the Castlereagh Hwy who travel across a flooded section under escort, in daylight and in one direction at a time. Walgett Shire Council continues to monitor and manage road closures.
The Castlereagh Highway north of Lightning Ridge is closed at the Weetalibah crossing.
The Castlereagh Highway between Coonamble and Walgett is open to all vehicles with caution.
Major flooding is continuing along the Narran River at New Angledool with flood waters now rising around the Lightning Ridge area.
Most unsealed roads within the Walgett Shire remain closed.
Operational endeavours continue to focus on resupply activities for both commercial and isolated properties with an operational focus on the Lightning Ridge area, with the NSW SES in the Lightning Ridge area continuing to supply isolated communities and rural properties.
New South Wales | NSW Police join NSW Health at launch of Donatelife Week 2012
NSW | 20 Feb 2012
NSW Police Force has today joined NSW Health for the launch of DonateLife Week 2012 in Sydney.
DonateLife Week, which runs from Sunday 19 February 2012 to Sunday 26 February 2012, aims to increase family discussion about organ and tissue donation to highlight increased family consent rates results in more Australians receiving organ and tissue transplants.
Today’s launch (Monday 20 February 2012), included interviews with organ recipients, organ donor families, transplant surgeons, the Chief Health Officer and other stakeholders at the main stage area in Martin Place.
Police attended to discuss Emergency Medical Transfers (EMT), a service that provides urgent transportation of human donor organs to hospitals.
In addition, the NSW Police Band entertained the lunch time crowds.
EMT Operating Procedures Coordinator, Superintendent Karen McCarthy, said the purpose of the day was to inform and entertain.
“The DonateLife message is important, but it’s a topic that may be difficult to talk about, especially with loved ones,” said Supt McCarthy.
“The most important part of DonateLife Week is educating people and generating conversation about the organ donation process.”
In Australia, the family will always be asked to confirm the donation wishes of the deceased before donation or transplantation can proceed. Families that have discussed and know each other’s donation wishes are more likely to uphold those wishes.
“More than 10,000 people walk through Martin Place every day, and if each of them had that difficult conversation, and committed to donate, that could be tens of thousands of lives being saved in the future,” Supt McCarthy said.
To help get people in NSW talking and discussing organ donation, DonateLife Week 2012 will offer a variety of opportunities with a number of community events, social media and other localised activities in throughout the state.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSFERS – VITAL SIGNS:
- It was the late Dr Victor Chang who, in 1984, asked the NSW Police Force to become involved in the transportation of organs. His aim was to cut the time between the donor organ being harvested and transported to the recipient; enabling a greater chance of success.
- Since then, NSW Police Force has been working closely with the NSW Organ and Tissue Donation Service, Road Traffic Authority and many hospitals in NSW to ensure the successful co-ordination of Emergency Medical Transfers (EMT).
- Before each transport, NSW Police Force Highway Patrol officers and the doctor in charge will discuss the gravity and seriousness of the situation and determine the police response required. Urgency determinations can be upgraded or downgraded en route.
- The first Emergency Medical Transfer (EMT) was completed by now-retired police officers, Tony McCue and Daryl Irvin, for the late Dr Victor Chang on 28October 1984, and ran from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport to St Vincent’s Hospital.
- On this initial run NSW police officers manned every intersection to ensure the safe arrival of the organs and the medical team. With the RTA becoming involved and technology advancing this has allowed police to get a ‘green light’ corridor to increase safety and minimise disruption to the public.
- The emergency medical transports that the NSWPF are involved in do not always involve organs. On some occasions it may be the transport of a rare blood type or surgical prosthesis where the patient is already on the operating table.
- Many of the recipients have no idea NSW Police are involved in the organ transport process.
- As many as 10 people can benefit from the organ and tissue donation of just one person.
- Australia has one of the highest transplant success rates in the world.
- Since 1990 Senior Constable Stewart Bailey has been the liaison officer for the medical escorts and plays a key role with stakeholders to ensure a safe and successful transportation. Snr Cst Bailey alone has been involved in more than 200 EMTs.
New South Wales | Child killed, six other people seriously injured in high-impact RTC near Tamworth
New England Highway, Tintinhull | 20 Feb 2012
Police are investigating the cause of a crash in which a boy has died and six other people have been injured near Tamworth yesterday.
About 4pm (Sunday 19 February 2012), a Mitsubishi van travelling north along the New England Highway, Tintinhull crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided with a Subaru Forester.
The driver of the van, a 54-year-old man was carrying four other people in the vehicle.
A passenger in the backseat of the van, a 10-year-old boy, suffered extensive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other children in the van have been taken to John Hunter Hospital. The driver of the van and his other female passenger, have been taken to Tamworth Base Hospital in a critical condition.
The driver of the Subaru, a 77-year-old man, and a female passenger have also been taken to Tamworth Base Hospital where they remain in a serious condition.
Police established a crime scene, which was examined by forensic services. Both vehicles have been seized for forensic mechanical examination.
The highway was closed for about five hours.
New South Wales | One man killed another injured in RTC near Lithgow
Great Western Highway, Hartley | 20 Feb 2012
Police are investigating the cause of a crash in which a man died near Lithgow yesterday.
About 6.35pm (Sunday 19 February 2012), a Mazda sedan was travelling west along the Great Western Highway, Hartley when it crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided with a truck.
A 52-year-old man, the driver and only occupant of the car, suffered extensive injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The other driver, a 48-year-old man, was taken to Lithgow Hospital with minor injuries to his shoulders and for mandatory blood and urine tests.
The Great Western Highway was closed in both directions for four hours due to the truck’s fuel tank being ruptured during the crash, causing a large amount of fuel to spill onto the highway.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Lithgow Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
New South Wales | The town of Walgett is now isolated
Walgett NSW | 13 Feb 2012
Walgett is the latest town in NSW to become isolated. Namoi Village was evacuated on the weekend due to the loss of power and the power will not be re-connected until the water level drops below 13 metres.
The Castlereagh Highway which was open to traffic a short while ago, is now officially closed due to flooding. This means all access roads to Walgett are now cut.
Major Flood Warnings remain for the Barwon River and the Narran River at Angledool. There is also a current Moderate to Major Flood Warning for the Lower Namoi River at Bugilbone and Downstream.
It is expected that Walgett may remain isolated for approximately 5 – 10 days. The SES has put in place a plan to manage resupply of goods to isolated properties and persons in and around the Walgett and surrounding areas. Residents requiring resupply of goods are to contact the SES on 132 500 in the first instance. Our SES Volunteers will work with you to order goods from local suppliers and have them delivered to you. Please do not place an order before contacting the SES.
For more local information, go to Walgett Shire Website and check out the Walgett Shire Flood Watch Bulletins. http://walgett.local-e.nsw.gov.au/index.php?option=com_jentlacontent&view=enhanced&id=1134384
Saftey Advice When A Flood Warning is Issued
All:
- Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater
- Stack possessions, records, stock or equipment on benches and tables, placing electrical items on top
- Secure objects that are likely to float and cause damage
- Relocate waste containers, chemicals and poisons well above floor level
- Activate your Home or Business FloodSafe Plan
- Keep listening to your local radio station for information, updates and advice
- Keep in contact with your neighbours
- Be prepared to evacuate if advised by emergency services
- Act early as roads may become congested or close
Rural Property Owners:
- Lift farm items onto benches and tables, placing electrical items on top
- Relocate waste containers, chemicals and poisons well above floor level
- Relocate stock fodder to higher ground
- Relocate livestock and farm equipment, including pumps, to high ground
- Check sheds and outbuildings
- Equipment, feed and chemicals should be raised or moved to high ground
- If isolation is likely, have sufficient non‐perishable food, essential medications, fuel and other necessities to last at least a week. Remember to include pet food and/or stock feed if required
For more information go to http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/community-safety/floodsafe/
New South Wales | Monday morning flood and storm update
NSW | 13 Feb 2012
Continuing severe weather patterns have kept the SES busy over much of NSW overnight. In addition to Southern and Western Sydney receiving more severe thunderstorms yesterday, resulting in 148 calls for help.
The Coffs Harbour area was impacted later in the evening by a thunderstorm cell bringing wind gusts of 98km/h and 48 mm of rain in a 40 minute period.
The Bureau is again predicting further severe thunderstorms today from Sydney to the Qld border along the coast and ranges. This may start occuring earlier in the day than normal. A chance of super cells forming like the Coffs Harbour cell seen yesterday, are possible. In fact, there is a chance that several of these types of cells may form throughout the day. Heavy localised rainfall in short periods of time may occur causing flash flooding.
At present, around 7000 people remain isolated, with the town of Walget being the latest to become isolated with floodwater reaching the Castlereagh Highway overnight. No significant rainfall is forecast to affect the flood affected areas, and SES Volunteers are continuing to re-supply isolated residents.
There are six current flood warnings issued including:
- Gwydir River
- Namoi/Peel
- Culgoa-Bokhara-Narran Rivers
- Warrego River
- Paroo River
- Barwon/Darling River
For further detailed information on these flood warnings go to www.bom.gov.au/nsw/warnings
For safety advice on preparing for severe thunderstomes visit the ses website http://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/community-safety/stormsafe/
New South Wales | Flood evacuation order for Namoi Village, Walgett
NSW | 12 Feb 2012
Due to the loss of power to all premises within the Namoi Village at Walgett, the NSW State Emergency Service is directing residents within the village to evacuate within the next 2 hours.
You can choose to go to friends or relatives. Alternatively, temporary accommodation can be arranged for you and other assistance provided.
Special transport can also be provided on request if necessary, by telephoning 132 500.
As you evacuate you should:
• Take your important documents, mementos and photos
• Take your spare clothing and medicines
• Turn off the electricity and gas
• If possible, check to see if your neighbours need help
• Don’t walk ride or drive through floodwater
• Continue to listen to a local radio station for updates
For emergency assistance telephone the SES on 132500