A different kind of emergency response

In addition to being a Sales representative with Atlas Copco Specialty Rental (Australia), Chris Ward doubles as a volunteer with the local State Emergency Service (SES), the agency dedicated to combatting flood, storm and tsunami events in Australia. They sprang into action during the major floods that hit large parts of the state of New South Wales on Australia’s east coast in March 2021. To put the scale of the emergency into perspective, primary response groups answered over 12,000 calls for urgent assistance and over 1,000 people were rescued after record-breaking rainfall caused havoc both inland and over 600 km of coastline.

Chris was one of hundreds of volunteers who answered the call to join the rescue effort. He was directly involved in helping dozens of families who were either cut off or suffered damage to their homes as a result of the flooding or severe weather. “It is amazing to see an army of volunteers from all types of organizations come together. But it is mind blowing to think of the difference that can be achieved with so many people,” said Chris who was part of a 24-hour rescue response group that helped carry out a large-scale evacuation of the worst affected areas.