The City of Cockburn embraces Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day on 22 May each year to recognise the importance of dedicated State Emergency Services volunteers, some of whom work for the City.
Mayor Logan Howlett and CEO Stephen Cain said the City happily supported employees who chose to volunteer for organisations such as the SES, and others like bushfire brigades and sea, search and rescue groups, as they were vital to safe, healthy communities.
City of Cockburn Customer Service Officer Alex Corinaldesi is a volunteer with Cockburn SES (CSES) and South Coogee Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (SCVBFB), and has had to take time off work to attend to emergencies.
“I am able to leave work when required to go to call outs including missing person searches or to help with storm damage, and deployment to major storm and fire events,” Alex said.
“If workplaces don’t support employees volunteering for emergency service response groups, then the capability of those response teams is reduced.
“I am the Section Leader for Logistics with the CSES and was the Community Engagement Officer for the SCVBFB and only recently stepped down.
“I like helping others and both the SES and bush fire brigade is like having another family.”
Alex started work at the City about five years ago. He began volunteering with Cockburn SES seven years ago, and South Coogee Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade six years ago.
This year the SES in WA celebrates 60 years of service to the community, during National Volunteer Week, 20-26 May.
The City encourages residents to consider volunteering with local organisations. For more information, visit the Volunteering page on the City’s
website.