70 Years of SES

By Greg Warren MP

10 September 2025

Mr GREG WARREN (Campbelltown)—The NSW State Emergency Service (SES) commemorates 70 years of service to communities across New South Wales. Established in response to the 1955 Maitland flood, the SES evolved from the Civil Defence Service into an essential agency in the state's emergency management framework. More than 11,000 volunteers have responded to floods, storms and landslides across the state. Local units such as our Campbelltown SES have played a vital role, with volunteers providing sandbagging operations, storm damage assessments and community education programs. Early responders relied on personal vehicles, handwritten logs and radio communications; today the SES operates a modern fleet of rescue vehicles, command trailers and boats, supported by drones, GPS mapping and integrated communications. As the service marks its 70th anniversary, we extend our gratitude to all current and former volunteers for their unwavering commitment, resilience and dedication to building safer, stronger, prepared communities across the state of New South Wales.