SES Mounted Section WA

28/03/2022

After a venue change, COVID attendance restrictions and the last-minute weather forecast uncertainty, last Saturday the Unit held a small farewell ceremony to recognise current members and their horses as well as key members from the past.

Although it was a sombre occasion with more than a few misty eyes around, it was also a great opportunity to celebrate the Mounted Section and the work nearly 300 members have done over 35 years. Current members and their horses were recognised for their service with a plaque presented by Hon Stephen Pratt and DFES Commissioner Darren Klemm, including the awarding of long service awards to those that had recently become eligible. While Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA and WA Police attended to officially thank the Unit as a whole.

Like any volunteer group, so much work by a small committee goes on behind the scenes that the public don’t get to see. The Unit would like to take this opportunity to thank our current leadership group and those who have gone before us for their additional hours, meetings, late nights and extra days which have gone on to ensure the Unit not only stayed afloat, but ran smoothly and enabled it to achieve so much.

The Unit has been in operation since 1987 starting off as a subbranch of Armadale SES before becoming a standalone Unit in 1991. The Unit has seen a number of changes and has adapted constantly with a focus on providing the community the best service possible to assist WA Police as a Land Search team when called upon. Members volunteered themselves, horses and vehicles; training bi-monthly to maintain their skills of a team of horses supported by our unmounted indispensable Ground Support crew. Riders and horses had to meet specific criteria and maintain a high level of fitness throughout their service to ensure they were in the best shape when called upon.

Although the Unit is closing it's safe to say the 'team' won't be disbanding, as a capable group of horse-riding friends we only need a time and a place to make a day of it. Thank you to our fellow SES units, DFES Management and our family and friends who have supported us, not only through our operational times, but in recent months following our decision to close down.

(For information re our decision to close the SES Mounted Section, please see the pinned post at the top of our page)

08/03/2022

🧡 Happy International Women’s Day to all those beautiful Women out there 🧡

27/02/2022

It was a bittersweet day yesterday for our final ridden training. February training would normally be the day for annual assessments but today we put formalities aside and saddled up and enjoyed a social ride where we could relax and enjoy our horses and each other’s company. Despite the dust, the sweat which attracts more dust and consequently the dirty faces - we all laughed (and cried) and had a great day.

You so often hear about your “orange family” when you’re a SES Volunteer. I personally joined the unit back in 2000 and have made so many wonderful life long friends on my journey. Many still volunteer along side me and others I now just ride with socially or catch with when I can. These memories I will cherish forever.

Natalie Beard, SES Mounted Section Local Manager

16/12/2021

Enjoy your retirement Hollywood.

05/12/2021

Happy International Volunteer Day

It’s International Volunteer Day, an opportunity to recognise the amazing men and women who spend time away from their own families to protect ours, who spend their evenings and weekends helping our communities prepare, and who give back more than they get back.

We cover one of the largest emergency management jurisdictions in the world, delivering services across a staggering 2.646 million km² of varied landscapes and diverse hazards. This wouldn't be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, who make up 95% of our personnel.

Thank you, to our selfless 26,000+ vollies who regularly give their time to make WA a safer State.

04/12/2021

The SES Mounted Section has serviced the community of WA by volunteering themselves and their horses since 1987.

Over these years the Unit has gone through many changes, so too has the way searches are conducted not only by Police but by the SES as a supporting agency. In addition, missing person behaviour and significant changes in technology has presented changes to the way units are used and searches are conducted.

With these considerations top of mind, the Mounted Section decided several months ago, as a team, to cease operations and recommended to DFES that the Unit close down. This recommendation was accepted by the DFES Commissioner last month and as such the SES Mounted Section will close from the 31st March 2022.

Make no mistake, this decision was not easy, nor taken lightly by any means. There were many sleepless nights and long days spent considering the community and ourselves; including the hard work done by former and current members to establish the competent and tight knit team we are to this day. There were many meetings among ourselves, DFES and WAPOL to ensure our decision was fully informed with all points considered.

As the Mounted Section winds down, our primary focus will be the welfare of members, like many volunteer groups, the Mounted Section is a huge part of our lives. Nearly 50% of our members have completed over 10 years of service and between them have contributed nearly 200 years of service to DFES.

We would like to acknowledge the support we’ve received over this time from our families, DFES staff, the SES Volunteers Association, our fellow SES comrades and the general public. We trust this support will continue over the next few months as we wrap up the SES Mounted Section.

10/11/2021

Lest we Forget

09/10/2021

Well deserved retirement Randwick ❤️

08/10/2021

Very proud to be a unit with 90% women volunteers 💪💪💪

25/09/2021

Training today up at Gnangara, perfect day for it. Our District Officer also joined us and got a quick ride on the lovely Jemima for his efforts!

09/09/2021

Check in your buddies 🧡

19/08/2021

Keep yourself up to date with these changes.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

From 14 September 2021, WA is joining other Australian states and territories in adopting the Australian Warning System (AWS). The AWS will ensure emergency information is nationally consistent, so no matter where you are in Australia, alerts and warnings will look the same. You’ll also see updated icons for all hazards on Emergency WA.

❓ What’s changing?
As part of the AWS, you’ll see new Bushfire warning colours and icons on Emergency WA.

❓ What do I need to know?
Ensure you understand the new Bushfire warning system and what action to take to stay safe.

❓ How can I get prepared?
Make your bushfire plan today at www.mybushfireplan.wa.gov.au or on the app.

ℹ Where can I get official information during an emergency?
- Website: www.emergency.wa.gov.au
- Phone: 13 DFES (13 33 37)
- Facebook:
- Twitter:
- Local ABC Radio