They joke that they’ve started a breeding program just to keep the Scone State Emergency Service (SES) Unit alive, but all laughter aside, without two families the local unit would not be able to continue providing the community service it does.
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The Scone SES is always looking for new volunteers to join their ranks, which two local families form more than half of at present.
For the Davidson and Apps families, SES has always been a family affair.
Ever since both dads, Upper Hunter local controller Allan Davidson and deputy local controller Richard Apps joined the service, gradually their wives and children have trained and joined, and even their grandchildren are familiar with the base.
The ability to be able to offer assistance in the local community is the main reason they all joined, however for the children it also simply seemed like “the natural thing to do”.
Currently the Scone unit has 17 members, with nine of them being a Davidson, former Davidson or an Apps.
And they’re not new to the service, earlier this year several of the members were recognised by Federal Member for the Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon with service medals.
The longest serving member is Allan with 25 years accomplished, followed by his wife Debbie who has been a member for almost 23 years.
Deputy local controller Richard Apps, Brad Apps and Lisa Davidson have all ranked up 15 years, Karen Apps has done 12 years, Daniel Apps has been a member for 10 years and Brooke Apps has notched up eight years.
Although both fathers joined through the encouragement of the then local controller Ralph Francis, Mr Davidson said he first joined the unit as something different to do as an interest, and it just went from there.
“I enjoy being able to help people and the satisfaction I get from that,” he said.
Mr Davidson said being a member was not a hard task and there is ongoing training to ensure you’re skills are maintained.
Mr Apps said the family link was an advantage as the ambulance used to say they had one of the best rescue teams around as they all gelled together so well and knew what each other were thinking.
He said the unit can’t provide primary rescue anymore due to lack of membership numbers and availability during work hours.
“It was a sad day when we had to give it away, but we couldn’t guarantee to make 24/7 call outs in the community,” he said.
Mr Apps said they all keep coming, because if they didn’t, the SES wouldn’t exist and he encouraged any interested people to think about joining the service.
“The knowledge you gain can be used in all walks of life and you get that sense of being able to give back to the community,” he said.
“We are very proud that our families have come through it and it is nice to have a family oriented unit, but we welcome others as well.”
The SES has internal and external roles from office work and food preparation to assisting with storm and flood damage, which are important leading into the storm season.
The unit meets for training every Wednesday night at 7.30pm at the base in Main Street, Scone and all are welcome.
Alternatively, to obtain an information pack, contact 1800 201 000.
