Sunshine Coast Volunteers - Maroochy State Emergency Service

SES Training

The State Emergency Service (SES) becomes involved in a wide range of disaster and emergency related operations. To allow these operational activities to be responded to effectively and safely the SES has a responsibility to ensure adequate and appropriate training is available to the members. This training needs to provide SES members with the competencies (skills, knowledge and attitudes) which ensure their operational response is conducted in a timely, safe and effective manner.

Where no suitable training material has been available in the public domain, the SES has developed its own training manuals and training resource packages, including the determination of appropriate standards.

During recent years National SES Competency Standards have been developed within the Public Safety Industry. These Standards have direct application to the SES and as a result a series of National Learning Resources are being produced. These Learning Resources are customised to meet Queensland-specific requirements and form the backbone of the training framework for SES in Queensland.

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SES has developed a comprehensive State Training Program which provides for members development from when they first join the SES until they have attained the level of expertise commensurate with their organisational role.

Associated with the State Training Program is a training recognition process which is designed to provide both external and internal forms of recognition for specific skills. These forms of recognition include National and State Recognised Certificates and Statements of Attainment as well as Statements of Attainment and Statements of Attendance issued within the SES.

There is a skills maintenance system based on personal log books designed to monitor the knowledge and skills maintenance associated with specific competencies.

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Delivery of Training
SES training is competency-based, delivered at local community (SES Unit/Group) level and delivered by Local Unit Instructors.

This includes the basic subjects each SES member is expected to complete but may also include specific training in more specialised areas.

Training support is provided to SES Units and Groups through District Training Staff and District Training Support Units. District Training Officers are permanent staff members located throughout the State. These officers have the responsibility for the management of SES training within designated SES Districts and the provision of direct training support to SES members.

District Training Officers perform this role with assistance of a District Training Support Unit (DTSU) which is comprised of highly qualified and experienced volunteer instructors who are available to assist in the preparation and delivery of training to SES Units throughout the District. These members often put in long hours researching and preparing for training activities and travel long distances to other communities to conduct training activities.

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View the Training Modules

The SES has an ongoing goal of providing each SES Unit with the capability of conducting all of its own training; to this end the focus over resent years has been on "Train the Trainer" type activities.

Curriculum
The SES training curriculum provides for a skill progression through training which enables a member to attain the level of skills required to competently carry out the tasks associated with the position occupied.

Each member, upon joining the SES, is required to complete an Induction Course which introduces the member to the legislative base on which the SES is established, the functions of the service and the unit's operational responsibilities, as well as familiarising the new member with the structure and physical layout of the Unit or Group.

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At the successful completion of induction the member then commences training at Stage One level.

This involves in excess of 100 hours of training and provides for the member to gain sufficient understanding and knowledge of all basic skills to allow the member to participate as a team member in the unit's operational activities.

At the completion of Stage 1, a member will possess a competency in most of the operational skills required of the unit's personnel.

Having completed Stage 1 training, members progress to Stage 2 training.

Stage 2 training involves customised training and includes a series of training courses, some of which are core and others which are electives (dependent upon SES Unit operational roles).

There is no set time frame to complete Stage 2 training; in fact it may take in excess of two (2) years to complete the required courses.

Both Stage 1 and Stage 2 training programs include skills which may be employed in a Civil Defence role.

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Training Progression
A member wishing to specialise in a specific skill (eg Road Accident Rescue), must first satisfy the pre-requisites (completion of Stages 1 and 2 core modules, current Senior First Aid Certificate, physical condition) before attending a course. Successful completion of the activity qualifies the member as an 'Operator' in that field.

Selected specialist operators will progress to become Instructors in specific subjects and some will attain the position of Senior Instructor within the Service.

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