SES volunteers have the opportunity to use a wide variety of equipment.

Equipment used include sophisticated hydraulic rescue gear used in Road Crash Rescue, chainsaws and polesaws used in storm damage response and communications and IT equipment.

The equipment used will depend upon the operational activities carried out by the unit and what kind of response is required.

Nationally accredited training and ongoing unit training are provided to ensure that equipment is kept maintained and ready for immediate use and able to be operated safely.

All SES volunteers are issued with a set of personal protective equipment including orange overalls, boots, helmet, gloves, hat and eye protection. Once a volunteer is assessed as competent in any other area that requires specialist personal protective equipment (chainsaw operation), or the use of particular equipment, the volunteer will be either issued with the equipment or be able to operate equipment in a response capacity.