The PSA launched its Value Us because We Value You campaign to highlight the importance of paid staff to the State Emergency Service (SES).

The campaign was officially launched at the NSW SES headquarters in Wollongong.

The launch also received a show of support, with Commissioner Michael Wassing making an appearance. Mr Wassing acknowledged the common ground of the organisation and the PSA in supporting SES employees, saying: “We both have the best interest of the staff in mind.”

“The Value Us because We Value You campaign emphasises that SES employees dedicate themselves to protecting communities every day, and in return deserve recognition, investment and safe, sustainable working conditions,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little. “Because behind every NSW SES response are dedicated staff working tirelessly to ensure volunteers are prepared, supported, and equipped to do their jobs safely and effectively.

“When an emergency strikes, the community sees the NSW SES volunteers on the ground. What people often don’t see is the salaried staff working behind the scenes to make these responses possible, maintaining critical systems, managing intelligence, ensuring equipment is operational and offering support to volunteers before, during and after emergencies.”

The NSW SES was founded in 1955 and serves the state as the lead agency for floods, storms and tsunami responses, outlined by the State Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 (NSW). The organisation comprises more than 10,500 highly trained members, covering both volunteer and paid staff who are dedicated to serving the community. Ninety-seven per cent of these members are volunteers.

“Understandably, the volunteers are the most visible part of the organisation, as these are the people who are seen working amongst communities in times of need,” said Mr Little. “However, the PSA wants all aspects of the SES to be acknowledged equally; including the salaried staff.

“These employees dedicate themselves to protecting communities every day, and they deserve recognition in return.”

The campaign is to raise recognition for the 3 per cent of workers who “quietly keep this organisation moving,” said Chair of the SES delegates, Nicole Harding. The salaried staff who work from training and planning, to logistics, systems support, and incident management.

“Without our people, we can’t support our volunteers, we can’t ensure we have operational capability and we can’t support our communities during their most difficult moments,” said Ms Harding.

Salaried staff have expressed serious concerns about workplace bullying, occupational violence, increased workplace pressures, and feelings of being undervalued.
With these alarming issues, “we want to be proactive” said PSA Senior Organiser Anne Kennelly.