Local heroes around the country will be recognised for their efforts during National SES Week.

The week will provide an opportunity to recognise the vital work carried out by volunteers and hopefully recruit more.

Kristy McMahon reports.

Transcript

Next week is when Australians will honour the work of State Emergency Service volunteers around the country.

Locally it’s been a tough year for them.

Queensland SES volunteers battled cyclones, storms, floods and bushfires.

But according to the state opposition, the SES is facing what amounts to Government harassment.

John-Paul Langbroek, Opposition spokesman for Emergency Services: “People are being asked to prove they’ve had adequate training when many times they have had the training, they’ve got the forms to be able to prove this.”

Mr Langbroek says the government is treating the volunteers like fools.

He said the number of SES volunteers has dropped dramatically.

Neil Roberts, Minister for Emergency Services: “The opposition are claiming that thousands of members have left the SES over the last five years that is just absolute nonsense.”

Mr Roberts says a recent survey of 600 volunteers was very positive and numbers have been relatively stable over the last few years.

Disaster management groups have also rejected the oppositions claims saying the number of volunteers is actually increasing.

EMQ’s Director Mike Shapland said there are a number of volunteers with a range of views and opinions and they are all taken under consideration.

Mike Shapland, Emergency Management Queensland: “There is always more that we can do in terms of training and equipment and time.”

November 9th is being declared Wear Orange Wednesday inviting all Australians to get out in their best orange clothing to show support for the SES.

Kristy McMahon, QUT news.