Last weekend's 202mm at Lismore Airport, with some areas receiving around 300mm, caused a 5.97m minor flood. Every time flooding occurs, we can't help but think that a medium or major flood is not far away given we have begun another storm season.

Flood preparedness has been one of the hot topics of discussion since February 28 2022, which includes the number and quality of boats within the SES North Eastern Zone. This was heavily criticised by the public after the February 2022 big flood.

On Friday, Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin showed off some new boats, rescue and storm vehicles and ark angels that have been delivered to NSW State Emergency Service (SES) units across the state, including in the Lismore electorate.

The northeastern corner of NSW, from Grafton to Tweed, has been bolstered by 49 new assets in the last financial year, enhancing flood rescue and operational response during severe weather events.

Among the new vehicles and vessels recently delivered are six large flood rescue boats, 10 Gemini inflatable rescue boats (IRBs), six ark angels, 10 general-purpose vehicles, two medium rescue trucks and two punts. The Lismore SES Unit has a new C1V-400 Gemini IRB and a general-purpose vehicle.

Ark angels are critical for quick and efficient flood response, as they are easily transported on top of an operational vehicle and can be deployed in many flood situations.

Meanwhile, the new Gemini IRBs will allow NSW SES volunteers to undertake flood rescue, reconnaissance and support tasks to help communities.

(The Ark Angel is the boat on the bottom, while the new Gemini IRB is on top. Photo: supplied)

All new vehicles are being equipped with ‘Vehicle as a Node’ (VaaN) technology, allowing crews to communicate using 4G and satellite networks, in addition to regular radio networks, while deployed.

This helps ensure crews can stay connected during emergencies and overcome any dangerous communication blackspots.

Last financial year, NSW SES Units across northeastern NSW responded to more than 1,970 calls for assistance, many of which were for storm and flood assistance.

It comes after the NSW SES had its busiest year on record in 2022, with volunteers logging more than 1 million hours and completing more than 3,800 flood rescues, 30 vertical rescues, more than 67,000 animal rescues, 575 road crash rescues, 2,800 resupply missions and 628 medical resupply missions.

Nearly 3,000 new volunteers joined the ranks of the SES in the past year, and the Service is encouraging more people to join their local unit to further strengthen the state’s defences to severe storms and floods.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said, “Having these new boats and vehicles now delivered to units across state will even better support our SES volunteers to save lives, protect communities, and minimise the impact of disasters. 

The bravery and selflessness of our SES volunteers over recent years has been remarkable, and during the last Storm Season alone, they responded to almost 16,000 flood and storm incidents across the state.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, said, “This funding recognises the valuable contribution SES volunteers make to our local community, particularly when they are on the frontline during floods and storms.

The SES plays a vital role in safeguarding our communities in times of crisis, and these additional vehicles and vessels in the local region will go a long way in helping prepare and respond to emergencies.”