People power has rescued the Boggabri State Emergency Service unit from extinction.
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Dwindling volunteer numbers meant the Boggabri branch faced certain closure if new recruits were not found.
The unit called an urgent community meeting and membership drive to address the issue.
Unit controller Geoff Eather said the meet and greet uncovered about six new potential candidates interested in joining the SES.
But the unit is not completely out of the woods and still requires all the help they can muster to keep the vital community service, running.
“The situation is pretty serious,” Mr Eather said, who has more than 40 years SES experience.
“Three of us have been there a long time and we’re not getting any younger. We need more active staff.”
The retired farmer has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the service, which has come a long way since its Boggabri beginnings in 1972.
“Back then we had second-hand overalls and a World War II first-aid kit,” he said.
“I’ve seen a lot of change since then.”
Mr Eather said the unit has experienced its “ups and downs” over the years but urgently needed more than the handful of staff currently on the books.
“We need more but this is a start,” he said.
The potential new recruits will meet with existing volunteers on Thursday evening for a closer look at the SES roles on offer. Most live in Boggabri and one comes from Baan Baa.
The SES is not the only Boggabri emergency unit doing it tough.
In October, the town’s fire and rescue also issued a mayday call for more members. Staff were stretched so thin, firefighters were travelling from Gunnedah to assist station manning.
Those interested in joining Boggabri SES are invited to the next meeting on Thursday from 6.30pm at the unit headquarters at 2 Brent Street, Boggabri.
The SES provides emergency assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.