Flood practice for SES at Mullumbimby - The Northern Star

STATE Emergency Services volunteers from across the Northern Rivers met in Mullumbimby yesterday, with the NSW Deputy Commissioner Tara McCarthy to hone flood-rescue techniques.

The level three "texercises", a mix of training exercises and technical education, were about preparedness for floods.

In terms of natural disasters in Australia, floods caused the greatest financial loss as well as the greatest loss of life, said Paul Sudmals, SES local controller, Byron Shire.

Mr Sudmals said the public did not realise this, especially as it got hotter and the fire season approached, he said.

Yesterday's training was for SES volunteers to show they could perform effective rescues, but stay safe themselves, he said.

Training focussed on 'highline rope rigging', a technique to transport people across swollen rivers.

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