Broome SES local manager Nathan Donald shares story for Wear Orange Wednesday
As tropical cyclone Carlos barrelled towards Karratha in early 2011, Nathan Donald was at the caravan park hurriedly tying down his belongings.
'It never made it to the caravan park, thank God, but it did do quite a bit of damage in town,' Mr Donald said.
'I was working at a local electrical supplier in town, and one of the reps just happened to be an SES volunteer, and we were talking about the storm, and he said I should come down, and the rest is history.'
Now the local manager of the Broome unit, Mr Donald has been volunteering with the SES ever since, and said it was the experiences and the camaraderie that kept him coming back.
'It's the experiences. I get to do so much with what SES can provide. I've learnt so much . . . I just enjoy passing those skills on, and every call-out's different,' he said.
'Some of these people have never picked up a power tool in their life. And handing them a power tool and showing them how to use it safely, and then watching them have a crack — it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling.'
Mr Donald said he got the same feeling during one of his most recent rescues, helping airlift an injured hiker out of Bell Gorge.
'We were on site well into the early hours of the morning before we retired back to some form of accommodation, and then in the morning, when we got back to site, she was being airlifted out,' he said.
'We would have happily walked her out if it was the middle of the day when we got there, but unfortunately we didn't get there until 5pm and the sun was quickly going down, so she was airlifted out, which added to the unique challenge of the rescue.'
Ahead of Wear Orange Wednesday, a day to recognise and celebrate the hard work of State Emergency Service volunteers, on May 21, Mr Donald said it was always great to see local support for the SES.
'We don't do it for the recognition, but it is really nice to have a day where everyone dresses up in orange to thank us for what we've done,' he said.
To those considering joining their local SES unit, Mr Donald said 'just do it'.
'You won't regret it. We come from all backgrounds and we're open and welcoming,' he said.
WOW Day takes place during National Volunteer Week, which runs from May 19-25.
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