The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) is a volunteer-based organisation that works with communities to prepare and respond to severe weather events. We are the lead agency for flood, storm and tsunami in NSW. We manage responses to these emergencies and help communities prepare through planning and education. NSW SES volunteers come from all walks of life, bringing with them many different skills, interests and backgrounds. They are united by the purpose of supporting their communities in times of need. While our major responsibilities are for flood and storm emergencies, NSW SES also provides the majority of general rescue effort in the rural parts of the state. This includes: - Road accident rescue - Vertical rescue - Bush search and rescue - Evidence searches (both metropolitan and rural) and other forms of specialist rescue that may be required due to local threats. Volunteers in a number of isolated communities have been trained as Community First Responders by the Ambulance Service of NSW. The organisations trained rescuers also support the full-time emergency services during major disasters. NSW SES also assists other emergency services when they are performing major operations. These services include the NSW Police Force, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the Ambulance Service of NSW.