Port Lincoln State Emergency Service

14/10/2026

🚨 PORT LINCOLN SES – TRAINING EXERCISE 🚨

A request for assistance from SA Police, a potential crime scene and a casualty in a treehouse formed the scenario for Port Lincoln SES volunteers during Wednesday night's training exercise. Crews assessed the scene, preserved potential evidence and developed a safe rescue plan.

Using safety harnesses, ropes and a rescue stretcher, members worked together to safely access, secure and lower the casualty to the ground in a controlled manner.

The exercise challenged volunteers in key areas:

🔸 Scene safety and preservation of evidence
🔸 Teamwork and communication
🔸 Risk assessment and rescue planning
🔸 Working safely at heights
🔸 Rope systems and controlled casualty lowering

As part of the exercise, volunteers also conducted a careful ground search, working shoulder to shoulder on their hands and knees to identify and preserve potential evidence. This required close attention to detail, teamwork and a methodical approach to ensure nothing was overlooked.

👏 A big thank you to the property owner for allowing us to use their premises for this valuable training exercise.

🧡 Realistic training helps prepare our volunteers for the unexpected!

🧡 INTERESTED IN JOINING PORT LINCOLN SES?

Learn new skills, make new friends and help your local community when it matters most!

Find out more or register your interest:
www.ses.sa.gov.au/home/volunteer/

SA State Emergency Service
South Australia Police

13/10/2026

🚨 PORT LINCOLN SES – BEACH DRIVING SAFETY 🚨

What started as a trip along North Shields Beach became a little more challenging when not one, but two 4WDs became bogged in soft sand concealed beneath a thick layer of wet, sodden seaweed.

Two Port Lincoln SES vehicles responded with recovery equipment, with our volunteers working through the challenging conditions to assist.

While the surface may have appeared reasonably firm, the waterlogged seaweed concealed extremely soft and unstable sand underneath. These conditions can quickly catch out even experienced 4WD drivers.

🧡 A great team effort by our Port Lincoln SES volunteers.

⚠️ A few important beach driving safety reminders:

🏖️ If in doubt, always walk it first! Before driving onto unfamiliar beach terrain, take the time to inspect the surface. Wet seaweed, soft sand and waterlogged areas can be deceptive, and conditions can change quickly.

🛞 Lower your tyre pressures appropriately. Reducing tyre pressures for soft sand driving can improve traction by increasing the tyre's contact area. Always follow your vehicle and tyre manufacturer's recommendations, adjust your speed accordingly and reinflate before returning to normal road speeds.

🛻 Carry recovery equipment and know how to use it safely. Recovery boards, a shovel and suitable rated recovery equipment can be invaluable. Make sure you understand how to use them correctly, as vehicle recoveries can be dangerous if equipment is used incorrectly.

📍 Tell someone where you're going. Before heading off, let a trusted person know your intended destination, planned route and expected return time. If your plans change, let them know. This information can be extremely important if you become stranded and assistance is needed.

📱 Plan for limited communications. Mobile phone reception can be unreliable along parts of our coastline. Carry a fully charged phone and consider alternative emergency communication equipment when travelling into remote areas.

🌊 Keep an eye on the tides. Beach conditions can change rapidly, and an incoming tide can turn a bogged vehicle into a much more serious situation.

Remember, beach driving is all about preparation, understanding the conditions and knowing your vehicle's capabilities.

A few simple precautions can help prevent a minor inconvenience from becoming a potentially dangerous situation.

🧡 Stay safe and enjoy our beautiful Eyre Peninsula coastline!

SA State Emergency Service
South Australia Police

09/10/2026

🚨 SES RESPONDS TO FLOODING IN COFFIN BAY 🌧️

Port Lincoln SES volunteers responded to a request for assistance in Coffin Bay this afternoon following heavy rainfall and localised flooding.

Water was entering a residential property, raising concerns about potential damage to the home's foundations.

Our volunteers attended and installed sandbags along the affected boundary to help redirect water away from the property and reduce the risk of further damage.

🧡 A big thank you to our volunteers who continue to give their time to support our local communities, whatever the weather!

🌧️ Remember: During heavy rainfall, keep drains and gutters clear where safe to do so, and never enter floodwaters.

📞 For flood and storm assistance, call the SES on 132 500.
For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero 000.



SA State Emergency Service South Australia Police

07/10/2026

🐾 What does a Dog Ops team carry?

There’s a little more to heading out on a search than just grabbing the dog and a lead! 😅

Our Dog Operations teams need to be prepared to work independently in the field, often for extended periods and across challenging terrain. That means carrying equipment to keep both handler and dog safe, operational and connected throughout a search.

Our kit can include GPS and tracking equipment to record where we and our dogs have searched, radios for communication with the wider search team, torches and headlamps for low-light and night operations, and high-visibility PPE so our handlers can be easily identified and seen.

We also carry first aid equipment for both humans and dogs, along with water, collapsible bowls and other supplies to keep our four-legged team members hydrated and looked after while they work. Depending on the conditions and task, there may also be spare leads, long lines, harnesses, dog rewards, gloves, navigation equipment, spare batteries and other essential bits and pieces.

And while it might look like a lot laid out on the ground, every item has a purpose. Search teams need to be self-sufficient, prepared for changing conditions and ready to respond when needed, because once a team is deployed into their search area, having the right equipment with them matters.

Of course, there is one particularly important piece of equipment that doesn't fit in the backpack… 🐕🧡

Operational readiness isn't just about training the dogs, it's about making sure the whole team, and all their gear, is ready to go.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Dog Operations, visit our website https://www.ses.sa.gov.au/about-us/our-units/dog-operations-unit/

07/10/2026

🚤 MARINE RESCUE TRAINING

Tonight some of our Port Lincoln SES marine crews completed the seven annual onboard emergency drills required to keep skills current and crews prepared:

⚓ Man Overboard (MOB)
🧭 Loss of Steering
👨‍✈️ Skipper Incapacitated
🛟 Abandon Ship
🔥 Fire
🌊 Flooding
🩹 Personal Injury

📻 Two members also operated communications, receiving crew positions by latitude and longitude, plotting them on marine charts and documenting activity through our reporting system.

These practical drills ensure our crews respond quickly and safely when things go wrong on the water.

A great effort by everyone involved tonight, maintaining the skills and teamwork needed for marine rescue operations. 🧡

SA State Emergency Service
South Australia Police

05/10/2026

🌳 TREE DOWN – CHARLTON GULLY

Earlier today, Port Lincoln SES volunteers responded to a report of a large tree down blocking the majority of Charlton Gully Road.

Greenpatch CFS arrived on scene prior to our arrival, and our crew subsequently received a Stop Call and returned to Port Lincoln.

On return, the vehicle and equipment were made ready for the next request for assistance.

A big thank you to all volunteers who responded this morning and to the Greenpatch CFS Brigade for their assistance. 🧡

For SES emergency storm or flood assistance, call 132 500.

SA State Emergency Service
SA Country Fire Service
South Australia Police

04/10/2026

🚨 ASSIST POLICE – SLEAFORD

Tonight, the West Operations Support Unit Drone Team, supported by Port Lincoln SES, responded to the Sleaford/Lincoln National Park area to assist SA Police with a missing person search.

West Operations Support Unit deployed the drone team and one vehicle, while Port Lincoln SES responded with two vehicles and four volunteers.

A further three members supported the operation from the Port Lincoln unit, maintaining communications and monitoring operational updates.

SA Police advised missing person located at approximately 9:15 pm, with all crews returning safely to their respective units.

A great team effort supporting SA Police and our community.

SA State Emergency Service
South Australia Police

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

⏰ Don’t forget — clocks go forward one hour tonight!

The one night of the year where we all get robbed of an hour’s sleep… 😴😂

Welcome back, Daylight Saving! ☀️

Don’t forget to wind your clocks forward one hour tonight for daylight savings⏰

The time might be changing but our number isn’t!

If you need SES assistance, give us a call on 132 500.

Our volunteers are always here for you when you need us—24 hours a day, seven days a week 🧡

30/09/2026

🧡 Wednesday Night Training – Port Lincoln SES

A mixed bag at training tonight!

🔥 Four members completed their Burnover Drill ahead of the upcoming fire season.

🪢 Some of our newest members have now completed their General Rescue Toolkits and look forward to progressing onto more advanced skills.

🪚 The rest of the crew ran chainsaws, checked generators and small engines, while both trucks headed out for a highway run before finishing with a trip through the car wash.

Another productive night keeping our members trained and equipment ready to go. 🧡

SA State Emergency Service
South Australia Police