Who’s Who in 22, Community: Sean Harrop

New Moreton Bay Region SES Controller Sean Harrop has hit the ground running since arriving in the region in January 2022, with a baptism of flooding rain and wild weather.

During the weather emergency, earlier this year, volunteers put in more than 3000 hours in response to thousands of calls for assistance.

Sean first took on the role of Deputy Controller in January for five weeks before the position of Controller became vacant and he decided to put his hand up for the job. He officially stepped in to the role on May 3.

He’s been involved with the State Emergency Service (SES) for nine years, a journey that started with a desire to help the community after the 2011 floods, and volunteering as a 19-year-old, and it has now become his life’s passion and career.

Sean jumped at the chance to take on a paid role with the Moreton Bay Region Group, after working closely with them as a volunteer while he was in the Brisbane Metro unit.

The Moreton Bay Region Group has more than 250 active volunteers.

Sean said the sight of an SES volunteer in their orange uniform was a relief to many in a time of crisis.

His goals include building on the work of his predecessors and bringing in more people, training them to help their community.

Sean said the Moreton Bay Region was growing fast and its regional SES Group needed to also grow to keep up with demand, especially with climate change making disasters worse.

He is on a three-year contract with Moreton Bay Regional Council and is keen to extend beyond that, if given the opportunity.

About the SES

The Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) is built on the goodwill of thousands of members, who give their time to help the community.

They perform a diverse range of functions to respond to local, state and national disasters and emergencies.

SES assistance is provided for non-life threatening emergency situations during floods, storms or other similar events.

Members also support other agencies such as Queensland Police Service and Queensland Fire and Rescue Service to perform additional functions and different types of disasters and emergencies such as: vertical rescue, flood boat rescue, road crash rescue, urban, rural and evacuation searches, emergency traffic management, urban search and rescue, agency support, incident management and community education.

SES members receive world class training providing them with real life skills which are used during emergencies

The SES has a role for people with a broad range of talents and expertise. A level of physical fitness is needed especially when involved in rescues, responding to natural disasters and performing other critical roles. Head to the website for more information.