AFTER covering almost 3000kms across regional the state, NSW Shadow Emergency Services Minister, Anthony Roberts has a real sense of what challenges emergency services volunteers face on a day-to-day basis.

Mr Roberts was using his trip around rural NSW to help him formulate policy for the State election planned for 2011 that will close the divide between metropolitan and rural emergency services.

“The level of training our emergency services receive in NSW is world standard and above, but there is significant disparity in equipment and accommodation.

“The training facility at the Inverell SES is top-class, and the council should be held as an example of what a good council can do to support the SES.

“Councils all around NSW could learn a lot from their example.”

Mr Roberts visited SES and RFS sites around the Inverell district over two days, encompassing Yetman, Ashford, Bundarra, Tingha and Inverell, where he was impressed by the commitment shown by all the volunteers he came across.

“The SES and RFS volunteers I have come across in my travels are all absolute heroes, they are ready 24/7 for anything that comes up, road rescues, floods fires, anything.

“Charlie Moir and his team at Inverell are an incredible group who give up their time and put their lives on the line in times of crisis.

“All of the crews I have visited go above and beyond the call of duty, it is easy to take these services for granted until you actually need them.”

Mr Roberts said it was important for him to get out of Sydney and visit the rural people of NSW if he was to adequately represent them in future years.

“I need to get out of Sydney if I want to meet the real people of NSW and see what is really going on with the emergency service.”

Inverell SES Controller Charlie Moir said he was pleased to show Mr Roberts around the area and show what the SES does in Inverell

“It is good to see politicians coming out to the coal face to talk to the volunteers and see exactly what we do.”