NSW SES Forbes Unit

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NSW SES Forbes Unit For emergency help during floods and storms call 132500. For life threatening emergencies call 000. Volunteers assisting their communities during emergencies.

🧡 NSW SES FORBES UNIT – VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🧡🚨 This week’s Volunteer Spotlight is Beau! 🚨This week, we’re proud to intro...
25/10/2026

🧡 NSW SES FORBES UNIT – VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🧡

🚨 This week’s Volunteer Spotlight is Beau! 🚨

This week, we’re proud to introduce Beau, a dedicated member of the NSW SES Forbes Unit who has been volunteering for 2 years.

🟠 Why did you join the NSW SES?

Beau joined the SES to be part of something bigger than himself, to help his community and give back to the country.

He wanted to be part of an organisation that makes a real difference and to do something he could truly be proud of.

🟠 What is your favourite thing about being an SES volunteer?

For Beau, the best part of volunteering is his team, which he describes as being like a family.

With so many different skills to learn and opportunities to explore, Beau says it’s the people who make the experience so special.

“They are people I trust, and I am honoured to be part of the Forbes team.”

🟠 What is your role within the unit?

Beau is involved in a wide range of rescue operations, including:

* 🚗 Road crash rescue
* 🌊 Land-based flood rescue
* ⛈️ Storm rescue
* 📻 Radio communications
* 🛠️ General land rescue operations

Beau is always happy to help wherever the team needs him, but you’ll often find him on the rescue tools, particularly when working in confined spaces or situations requiring quick access.

He is also working towards becoming a Vertical Rescue Operator and Level 3 Flood Rescue Operator, with ambitions to develop his skills in both field operations and intelligence.

🟠 How long have you been a member?

Beau has proudly been part of the Forbes Unit for 2 years.

During this time, he has completed numerous training courses, gained valuable hands-on experience and developed a wide range of rescue skills.

But as Beau says, there’s always plenty more to learn!

🟠 What would you say to someone thinking about joining the SES?

“If you’re looking to be part of something bigger, help your community or experience what it’s like to be part of an emergency service, come and join the SES!

Whether you’re interested in hands-on rescue work, flood intelligence, storm operations, radio communications, training or supporting the team behind the scenes, there is something for everyone. 🧡 From everyone at the NSW SES Forbes Unit, thank you, Beau, for your dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to helping our community. We’re proud to have you as part of our team!

🚨 WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN OUR TEAM?

Come along to the NSW SES Forbes Unit on a Wednesday night at 7pm, meet our volunteers and find out how you can get involved.

You don’t need previous experience, just a willingness to learn and help your community!

🧡 NSW SES – Volunteers Helping Communities

Issued at 10:15 am EDT on Sunday 25 October 2026A broad area of severe storms producing damaging wind gusts is developin...
25/10/2026

Issued at 10:15 am EDT on Sunday 25 October 2026

A broad area of severe storms producing damaging wind gusts is developing throughout the state.

Weather Situation: A moist and unstable airmass is situated across most of New South Wales, ahead of a vigorous trough and cold front set to cross the state during the day. Severe thunderstorms are developing ahead of this trough and are moving rapidly to the southeast and are likely to continue throughout the afternoon.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Enlarge image
Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Wagga Wagga, Albury, Cobar, Griffith, Nyngan and West Wyalong.
A 91 km/h wind gust was recorded at Wilcannia Airport at 6:43 am.
Safety advice
The State Emergency Service advises that people should:

* Park your car under secure cover and away from trees, powerlines and drains.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
For emergency help in flood and storms, ring the SES on 132 500.
Stay updated on the Hazards Near Me NSW app or the ACT ESA website (https://esa.act.gov.au).
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

The next warning is due to be issued by 1:15 pm.

🧡 NSW SES FORBES UNIT – VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🧡🚨 Meet Lewis Wilde! 🚨This week’s Volunteer Spotlight features Lewis Wilde, ...
17/10/2026

🧡 NSW SES FORBES UNIT – VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🧡

🚨 Meet Lewis Wilde! 🚨

This week’s Volunteer Spotlight features Lewis Wilde, who has been a valued member of the Forbes SES Unit for the past 2½ years!

🟠 Why did you join the NSW SES?

“I joined because it’s important to me to help people and be part of the community. Being in the SES also brings a lot of variety into life, and there’s always something different to do.”

🟠 What’s your favourite thing about being in the SES?

“The skills I’ve learned and the great people I get to work alongside.”

🟠 What’s your role within the unit?

“I’m still learning the ropes, but I’ve completed plenty of training and can now help out with most call-outs. There’s always more to learn!”

🟠 How long have you been a member?

“I’ve been a member for 2½ years. When I first joined, I had no experience using tools, but thanks to the training provided by the SES, I’ve developed a whole range of new skills.”

🟠 Is there anything else you’d like the community to know?

“I hope my story in the SES encourages others to get involved in their communities and help out wherever they can.”

👏 A big thank you to Lewis for his dedication and commitment to the Forbes SES Unit!

Lewis is a great example of how you don’t need any previous experience to join the NSW SES. With the right training, support and a willingness to learn, anyone can develop the skills needed to make a real difference.

🧡 Thinking about becoming a volunteer?

Why not give it a go? Come along to the Forbes SES Unit on a Wednesday night at 7pm, meet our friendly team and find out how you can get involved!

You don’t need experience – just a willingness to learn and help your community! 💪🧡

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – MATT HANDO 🧡This week’s Volunteer Spotlight is Matt Hando, a valuable dual member of both the Fo...
05/10/2026

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – MATT HANDO 🧡

This week’s Volunteer Spotlight is Matt Hando, a valuable dual member of both the Forbes and Parkes NSW SES Units.

With an impressive 14 years of service, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and rescue skills to both units.

🧡 Why did you join NSW SES?
To help the community in times of need and to meet new friends.

🚨 What is your favourite thing about being in NSW SES?
Doing flood rescues, road crash rescue and vertical rescue.

👨‍🚒 What is your role within the unit?
Senior Team Leader / Swift Water Technician.

⏱️ How long have you been a member?
14 years.

Matt also has some great advice for anyone thinking about volunteering:

“If you’ve ever thought about volunteering but feel like you’re too busy, I’d encourage you to give it a go and try to make the time. The SES is full of very busy people balancing work, businesses and families who still find a way to contribute.

You don’t need to have endless spare time — just a willingness to give some of it when you can. If you feel like you have something to contribute, you probably do.”

👏 Thank you, Matt, for 14 years of service and for your continued commitment to the Forbes and Parkes communities.

🧡 Thinking about joining NSW SES?
Come along, meet the team and find out how you can help your community. There’s a role for everyone!

🚨 New flood rescue vehicles for Forbes Unit 🌊Forbes Unit has recently taken delivery of two new flood rescue vehicles — ...
02/10/2026

🚨 New flood rescue vehicles for Forbes Unit 🌊

Forbes Unit has recently taken delivery of two new flood rescue vehicles — a new High Clearance Vehicle (HCV) replacing our previous Unimog, and a new Light Flood Rescue Vehicle.

Our new Unimog HCV is purpose-built to operate in difficult conditions and is capable of operating in floodwater up to 1.2 metres deep.

The Light Flood Rescue Vehicle provides a highly mobile platform for our flood rescue crews and carries specialist equipment including an inflatable rescue craft.

Both vehicles are now operational and stationed at Forbes, ready to respond within our local area or deploy anywhere across NSW when required.

A significant flood rescue capability based right here in Forbes and available to support communities across the state.

🌧️ Local knowledge matters when Forbes floodsTonight Forbes Unit welcomed Josh and Hannah from NSW SES Southern Zone HQ,...
30/09/2026

🌧️ Local knowledge matters when Forbes floods

Tonight Forbes Unit welcomed Josh and Hannah from NSW SES Southern Zone HQ, who spent time with our volunteers gathering local knowledge and experience to help enhance planning for future flooding in Forbes.

Maps and flood modelling give us an enormous amount of information, but our volunteers also bring something particularly valuable — firsthand knowledge of our community, local roads, properties and how previous floods have actually unfolded on the ground.

And you don’t need to be interested in climbing into a rescue boat to make a valuable contribution to NSW SES.

We’re always looking for volunteers with local knowledge and experience who can contribute to planning, intelligence and operations before and during emergencies.

If you know Forbes and would like to put that knowledge to good use, we’d love to hear from you.

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – REBECCA SALEH 🧡This week we’re shining the spotlight on Rebecca Salah, a valued member of the Fo...
27/09/2026

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – REBECCA SALEH 🧡

This week we’re shining the spotlight on Rebecca Salah, a valued member of the Forbes SES Unit.

Why did you join NSW SES?
I wanted to help the community when they are in need.

What’s your favourite thing about being a volunteer?
Helping the community and being part of a great team.

What is your role at Forbes SES?
My role is to team up with other Forbes Unit members on call-outs, whether it’s responding to storm damage or a road crash. I also help by doing the shopping when the Forbes Unit hosts training courses and, most importantly, being there to support our unit members whenever needed.

How long have you been a member?
I became a member after the 2021 floods, after helping out making sandbags. My time with Forbes SES is now coming up to five years.

What would you say to someone thinking about joining?
If you’re thinking about helping your community, come along to the Forbes SES Unit on a Wednesday night when we train. You can meet the team and ask our members any questions you have about

👏 Thank you, Rebecca, for your dedication to the Forbes SES Unit and the local community. Volunteers like Rebecca are an important part of what makes our unit a great team.

🧡 Thinking about volunteering? Come along and meet us!

🪚 Chainsaw Operators Course – Cowra 🪚Over the weekend, NSW SES members from Forbes, Parkes, Cootamundra, Cowra, Albury a...
27/09/2026

🪚 Chainsaw Operators Course – Cowra 🪚

Over the weekend, NSW SES members from Forbes, Parkes, Cootamundra, Cowra, Albury and Lake Cargelligo travelled to Cowra to participate in a Chainsaw Operators Course.

It was a great weekend of hands-on training, building valuable skills and working alongside members from across the region.

👏 Congratulations to everyone who participated and successfully completed the course!

Wednesday Night Training 🌊Wednesday night’s training saw our team out on the Forbes Ski Dam, keeping our flood rescue sk...
16/09/2026

Wednesday Night Training 🌊

Wednesday night’s training saw our team out on the Forbes Ski Dam, keeping our flood rescue skills sharp.

Members spent the evening working with our flood boats and practising the skills and teamwork needed to operate safely and effectively during flood rescue operations.

Unfortunately, everyone was too busy training to remember to take any photos out on the water… 🤦‍♂️ so this shot back at the Unit will have to do!

Regular training like this keeps our operators ready to respond when our community needs us.

Interested in getting involved? NSW SES Forbes Unit is always keen to hear from people who’d like to learn new skills, bring the life skills they already have and be part of a great team and help their community. 🧡

Forbes NSW

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT | Ryan jones 🧡Today we’re shining the spotlight on Why I joined NSW SES:...
08/09/2026

🧡 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT | Ryan jones 🧡

Today we’re shining the spotlight on Why I joined NSW SES:
My dad and his friends at the Hawkesbury Unit were the reason I first joined the SES. Growing up around them and seeing the work they did inspired me to get involved, and more than 20 years later they still inspire me to keep volunteering.

Favourite thing about being in the SES:
I genuinely enjoy the work. Like a lot of people, when I see a person or a community suffering, I want to do something to help make it better. The SES gives me a way to genuinely contribute and help people when they need it most.

Role within the unit:
I’m a Senior Operator with Forbes Unit and mainly focus on road crash, general land and flood rescue. I also enjoy helping train and develop other members.

How long I’ve been a member:
Just over 21 years. I originally joined NSW SES in the Hawkesbury before eventually moving to Forbes and joining the Forbes Unit.

Anything else:
If you’ve ever thought about volunteering but feel like you’re too busy, I’d encourage you to give it a go and try to make the time. The SES is full of very busy people balancing work, businesses and families who still find a way to contribute. You don’t need to have endless spare time — just a willingness to give some of it when you can. If you feel like you have something to contribute, you probably do.

Address

10 School Road
Forbes, NSW
2871

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