State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers across the Eyre Peninsula attended almost 150 requests for assistance in 2025, including helping with fallen trees, marine search and rescues, land searches and vehicle accidents and recovery.
“While pleasing that the number of requests on the Eyre Peninsula were slightly lower than last year, removing fallen trees and assisting with rescues were our most common task, accounting for almost half of our activities across the region,” said Anthony Daelman, SES District Officer for the Eyre Peninsula.
Across the state in 2025, the SES responded to over 9,200 requests for help.
“The SES relies on volunteers to provide this assistance to their local community, and we are constantly looking to grow our volunteer numbers,” Mr Daelman said.
In 2025 the SES welcomed 33 new members in the Eyre Peninsula and 368 new members across South Australia.
In 2026 the SES will be looking to grow their volunteer team across the Eyre Peninsula, with a particular focus on the Cummins and Kimba units, plus the West Operations Support Unit based on the Eyre Peninsula.
“For anyone interested in talking to other volunteers, seeing some of the equipment that we use and learning more about what we do, we will be having a display at this year’s Tunarama,” he said.
“The sort of things people can get involved in if they join SES will vary depending on their location but can include marine rescue, road crash rescue, vertical rescue, flying drones, as well as helping provide storm and flood assistance.
“There is no expectation to attend every call or training session and is something that you can do when you have the time. All SES volunteers receive nationally accredited training at no cost, and it is a wonderful way to learn new skills, make friends, and connect with your community.
“However, we know that not all our volunteers can or want to get on a truck and respond to an emergency, so we also have important roles available such as radio communications, logistics and planning that help us deliver these services, so there really is something for everyone,” he said.
In 2026 the SES will be expanding its drone capacity across the Eyre Peninsula, with the introduction of new micro-drones to be based out of Kimba. This new technology will supplement existing drones based in Port Lincoln and Ceduna and will help SES crews better identify risks and hazards and assist with search and rescue activities.
In 2025 the SES recognised the ongoing service of several Eyre Peninsula volunteers, with 10-year awards being presented to Sandra Skinner (Ceduna) and Cliff Pudney (Streaky Bay) and 20-year awards to Rod Thomas (Ceduna), Geoff Yeend (Cummins) and Nancy Prior (Ceduna).
A 25-year award was also presented to Suzanne Trewartha (Ceduna) and a 35-year award to Max Coulson (Port Lincoln).
On the Eyre Peninsula there are eight SES units located at Ceduna, Cleve, Cummins, Kimba, Port Lincoln, Streaky Bay and Tumby Bay. The SES has 70 SES units located across the state.
Mr Daelman encourages people wishing to find out more about volunteering with the SES to visit the SES website or call 8130 0350.