SES CREWS DO IT TOUGH

Real-life trauma takes toll even on veterans in an award-winning unit

Jayd Woolard reflects on a 28year career that has seen him retrieve dead bodies, help people displaced by floods and performing search and rescues

JAYD Woolard says he switches off occasionally but, even after 28 years in the State Emergency Service, dealing with the hangover of his life-and-death experiences remains difficult.

“I tend to internalise, not verbalise,” said the veteran volunteer of the Gold Coast SES chapter, which has won the Commissioner’s Cup in Queensland for the first time in 15 years.

“It’s the way I cope. I can go quiet for a day or two as I continue processing what has happened.

“Usually you’re there in the moment and I try hard not let it affect me (but) I have participated in critical incident stress debriefs (and counselling).

Mr Woolard, the Gold Coast SES local controller, has retrieved dead bodies, helped people displaced by floods and performed rescues and searches at crime scenes for weapons, evidence and even body parts.

“Most of the worst things I have seen were when I was with the road accident squad and cave rescue squad (in NSW),” said Mr Woolard, a

44-year-old father of four from Jacobs Well.

“(But I have) recovered bodies from Springbrook, moved bodies from South Stradbroke Island, searched for people in floodwaters and found them (dead).”

He and his wife Leanne are among more than 300 members of the Gold Coast’s Orange Army who put their lives on the line to help others.

They are not defence force personnel or police officers.

They are everyday people with families, jobs and social lives.

“I like the work, it is good fun,” said Mr Woolard, who is a compliance officer for a registered training organisation that works with the Rural Fire Service Queensland, SES and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services. “It is a great way to meet people.”