‘Go when called’ is Rowena’s gig

IT’S cold, wet, dark and the middle of the night and flooding is threatening.

While most of us are hunkered down in bed, State Emergency Service volunteers such as Rowena Larsson are either out in the elements keeping Tasmanians and property safe or waiting for a call to say it is time to hit the road.

Ms Larsson is one of the local frontline workers who will be honoured this Australia Day as the nation pays tribute to those who kept us safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, while most Tasmanians were enjoying some rest and recreation, Ms Larsson was conducting home-based COVID-19 isolation compliance checks, making sure people who have been ordered to stay home were doing so.

Ms Larsson has been an SES volunteer for five years and is unit manager of the General Response Unit, which has a primary responsibility for storm damage.

She and her crew were on deck when record rainfall caused the Hobart Rivulet to break its banks in May, 2018, and the city was shocked by the ferocity of the ensuing flooding. Tasmanian SES crews received more than 280 calls.

“It is a significant commitment to be an SES volunteer but I have the capacity and the time to make a difference so that is what I do,” Ms Larsson said.

“It is important Tasmanians have someone to call in an emergency.

“We don’t fix things but we are there to make it safe. It is often dark, wet, windy but that is why we are there.

“The hours we put in depend on what is going on. Mostly they are short, sharp ferocious events. You go when you are called. That is what we sign up for.”