The SES is a volunteer organisation that exists to protect lives and property, particularly during storms, floods and other natural disasters. The SES is responsible for coordinating the community's response to floods and can provide councils with valuable advice and assistance on floodplain risk management. It also coordinates storm response operations.

Local SES volunteers work closely with their Council and other community groups on a range of community education activities to help people help themselves when storms and floods occur.The State Emergency Service and councils are partners in creating a strong, resilient, prepared community. We welcome councils' suggestions and assistance.

NSW Councils, in partnership with the State Government, provide strong financial and practical support to their local SES Units. The State Government provides a range of assistance to SES Units, helping to ease the financial burden on local government. This assistance includes:

• Subsidies to assist with the purchase of new emergency response vehicles
• Building subsidies for local SES Unit Headquarters
• Subsidies to help meet day-to-day Unit operating expenses
• Major equipment and protective clothing
• Repairs to State-owned equipment
• Training funds and materials and insurance for volunteers and SES-owned equipment
• Emergency funding for flood, storm and other natural disaster response operations
• Response operation expenses such as equipment hire, accommodation, meals, telephone and fuel costs