New flood boat marks latest upgrade for Junee SES volunteers

THE volunteers of the NSW State Emergency Service’s Junee Unit have welcomed a major new addition to their emergency response fleet, taking delivery of a state-of-the-art Class 3 Flood Boat designed to serve the community for years to come.

The arrival of the new vessel, known operationally as JUN731, marks the latest chapter in an ongoing program of upgrades that has transformed the capability of the local SES unit over recent years.

The new flood boat replaces the unit’s long-serving vessel G8, which has been a familiar sight on waterways across the Riverina for more than 15 years.

The Junee SES unit has taken delivery of a brand new Class 3 Flood Boat | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

“Out with the old, in with the new,” the unit announced on social media.

“Today we received our new Class 3 Flood Boat. The old boat G8 has served the unit very well for well over a decade and a half.

The new state-of-the-art boat will replace the unit’s old yellow vessel G8 | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

“The new flood boat JUN731 is the latest generation. It comes fully stowed with the latest innovations, equipment and features required for operational use for many years to come.”

For a unit regularly called upon to respond to floods and river rescues across the region, the upgrade represents a significant boost to local emergency preparedness.

The new vessel | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Growing capability

The new flood boat is just one of several major investments that have modernised the Junee SES fleet in recent years.

In 2019, the unit took delivery of a new operational truck, followed by a purpose-built storm trailer in 2022 to replace equipment dating back to 1984.

Response vehicle and purpose-built storm trailer received in 2019 and 2022 | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Purpose-built storm trailer received in 2022 | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

The self-sufficient trailer features lithium battery systems, emergency lighting, refrigeration and duplicated rescue equipment, allowing crews to operate independently at separate incidents without sharing tools and resources.

The following year, volunteers welcomed a new General Purpose Isuzu D-Max equipped with advanced communications technology, including Vehicle as a Node (VAAN) capability, providing enhanced communications during emergency operations.

Together, the upgrades have significantly strengthened the unit’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies across Junee Shire and beyond.

New general purpose vehicle received in 2023 | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Answering the call

While many people associate the SES with storm clean-ups and sandbagging operations, the role of today’s volunteers extends far beyond severe weather.

Junee SES members regularly assist with flood rescues, search operations, storm damage response and increasingly complex emergency incidents.

Their flood rescue capability has proven particularly important during recent years.

During major flood events in 2022 and 2023, Junee volunteers responded to flood rescues, evacuation operations and support missions throughout the region, including deployments to neighbouring communities such as Wagga and Cootamundra.

The Junee SES unit was tasked to assist in multiple flood events in 2022 | Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Crews were frequently called upon to assist residents impacted by rising floodwaters while also conducting reconnaissance and welfare checks in isolated areas.

The addition of the new flood boat will further strengthen the unit’s ability to undertake these specialised operations when severe weather strikes.

Training together, responding together

A key part of the unit’s success has been its strong partnerships with neighbouring emergency service organisations.

Junee SES members regularly participate in joint water rescue training exercises alongside neighbouring units, ensuring responders are prepared to work seamlessly together during major emergencies.

More recently, the local unit has become part of an innovative statewide pilot program bringing SES and VRA Rescue NSW volunteers together to train and respond collaboratively to serious road crash rescues.

Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Junee is one of only a handful of locations selected to trial the Multi Agency Rescue Unit model, which combines the expertise and resources of SES, VRA Rescue NSW and other emergency services to improve rescue capability in rural and regional communities.

Over the past year, volunteers from the Junee SES and Junee Rescue Squad – VRA Rescue NSW have undertaken extensive joint training in advanced vehicle rescue techniques, including stabilisation, roof removals, dash lifts and complex patient extrications.

The partnership was further strengthened earlier this year when the Junee Rescue Squad received a new suite of hydraulic rescue tools through the NSW Government-backed initiative.

The collaborative approach ensures local volunteers are equipped and trained to deliver the highest level of rescue capability when lives are on the line.

Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Image: NSW SES Junee Unit

Community support needed

To help maintain those vital skills, local rescue agencies are continuing to seek support from the community.

Junee Rescue Squad recently called for donations of old, damaged or non-running vehicles to be used in upcoming multi-agency training exercises.

The vehicles provide realistic training opportunities for volunteers to practise road crash rescue scenarios in a controlled environment, helping emergency services prepare for real incidents on local roads.

This vehicle was crushed and supplied by Wagga Scrap Metals for a realistic training exercise in 2025 | Image: Junee Rescue Squad

Volunteers at the heart of the service

Despite the modern equipment and advanced training, SES leaders say the organisation’s greatest asset remains its volunteers.

Like many emergency services, the Junee Unit is always looking to recruit new members willing to give back to their community.

People aged 16 years and over can join in a variety of operational and support roles, including flood rescue, storm response, administration and community engagement.

JOIN YOUR LOCAL SES

Volunteers receive nationally recognised training at no cost, gain valuable emergency response skills and become part of a close-knit team dedicated to helping others during their most difficult moments.

As the arrival of the new flood boat demonstrates, the Junee SES continues to evolve and strengthen its capability, but its mission remains unchanged.

When floods rise, storms strike or emergencies occur, local volunteers stand ready to answer the call.

For more information on how you can become a SES volunteer, click here.