By Taylah Eastwell
Hours before the worst of the storm hit the Ranges, Emerald SES volunteer Louise Draper was already down at the unit raring to go.
But when the gusty winds reached their peak, it was like nothing she’d experienced before.
With the Hills unit receiving as many calls for assistance in one night as it would typically see in a year, Louise was on the frontline triaging calls and organising jobs until the sun came up the following morning.
Volunteers across the Yarra Ranges likely have similar stories from the horror night, but one point of difference is the fact Louise’s employer gave her immediate, fully paid leave – allowing her to continue helping the community in its time of need.
“I got to the unit around 6pm on the Wednesday night (9 June) and was helping man the incident control area where calls were coming through from triple zero (000). We were calling people back to check on them and organising where to send trucks,” Louise said.
“We couldn’t get home that night because it was so dangerous so I stayed overnight. I sent a message to my boss at 10.30pm and just let him know I wouldn’t be able to come in because I was going to have to work all night. He just said ‘that’s fine, good luck, let me know how you go’,” Louise said.
With just three hours sleep, Louise continued her SES work throughout the following Thursday (10 June), helping with countless jobs across the mountain.
Louise is employed as a risk and compliance consultant with Olympus Australia, a medical manufacturer based in the suburbs.
The support from her employer helped ease her stress after the tumultuous night.
“It was really nice and very easy and meant I could continue working to help the community,” she said.
“For me to take a day off meant there were so many meetings that needed to be rearranged so there were just so many people it affected, but they just said ‘go do what you need to do’. It was really nice for people to reorganise their days, and I got paid. In a big business, we’ve got critical decisions to make, so I think that is just amazing support that with no notice I’ve asked for a day off and everyone has been flexible,” Louise said.
And after the disastrous night, Emerald SES were grateful to have all hands on deck.
“We had a lot of people driving that would have one tree fall in front of their car and another behind their car. We were trying to get crews to them while calling back other people just to make sure they were OK because it was very scary,” Louise said.
“We were trying to make sure of everyone’s welfare because they were only seeing what was in their area and didn’t know how dangerous it was. We took over 800 jobs on that night, the most we’ve ever done before was 400. I got there at 6pm and didn’t leave until 7am the next morning,” she said.
“It was very surreal. You don’t think of your own safety at that time. We thought we were safe but a tree could of fallen on us as well at any time, but you just had to get on. There was a sense of urgency to make sure we were able to contact as many people as possible who were in a terrible situation to calm them down even if we couldn’t get to them immediately. We just ran on adrenaline all night,” she said.
“I am incredibly grateful to my employers. Without their support I would not be able to part of this amazing community that I am privileged to serve,” she said.
Louise said not all volunteers have the flexibility to take emergency leave, with some working all night on the frontline and turning up to work the following day.
“It’s been a busy month, but knowing I have the backing to be able to continue to do what I do best, and help my community, has been the highlight for me and worth it all.”
Louise’s employer also awarded her a ‘Volunteer of the Year’ trophy and donated $500.00 to the Emerald unit.
Emerald SES Deputy Unit Controller Jessica Rice was also granted leave from her role as a Covid-19 event compliance observer with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions to assist in the storm.
“I wouldn’t be here without the positive attributes of my managers at work. At a moment’s notice, to be able to drop everything so that I am operationally ready to help others, is everything to me as it allows me to do my bit,” Jessica said.
VICSES extended its thanks to employers of volunteers who allow them to devote their time to the community in emergencies.
“These are just two members with exceptional employers in both the private and public sector, who we thank endlessly. Without their support, our volunteers would not be able to do what they do and provide a vital service to community,” an SES spokesperson said.
A Fair Work Ombudsman spokesperson said all employees, including casuals, can take community service leave for voluntary emergency management activities.
Employees are entitled to take community service leave while they are engaged in the activity and for reasonable travel and rest time. There is no limit on the amount of community service leave an employee can take, however notice must be given to the employer as soon as possible. This includes after the leave has started.
“Workers with concerns about their pay or entitlements are encouraged to contact us directly,” the Fair Work Ombudsman spokesperson said.
Further information on entitlements can be found at https://www.fairwork.gov.au/leave/community-service-leave. The Fair Work Infoline can be contacted on 13 13 94.
