Salvation Army Emergency Services launches new fleet of vehicles

Captain Philip Sutcliffe and Woolworths’ David Brown (centre) cut the ribbon at last week’s launch, watched by other dignitaries and Salvos staff and volunteers.

BY SIMONE WORTHING*

Captain Philip Sutcliffe, Northern Rivers Corps Team Leader, said he was “super excited” to launch a new fleet of Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) vehicles, which will be based in Lismore, Northern NSW.

The new fleet will increase the response time and capacity of the SAES in the Northern Rivers region.

“This fleet of vehicles was made possible through our partnership with and funding from Woolworths – our national partner for disaster catering since November 2016, and with the support of our NSW/ACT SAES Coordinator Norm Archer and his team,” Philip said.

“These vehicles will increase our capacity and response in times of emergency or disaster. It will also enable us to serve at community events and functions, and opportunities to train and equip our volunteers so we are always ready when needed.”

Philip spoke at the launch of the new vehicles at Goonellabah, near Lismore, on 27 June. He shared that this year, the Salvos are celebrating 133 years of assistance to the Lismore and Northern Rivers communities

The truck, with its commercial kitchen, was built locally for the SAES.

“Since the 2022 floods, we’ve worked tirelessly to get our community equipped with the resources it needs to respond to future disasters and emergencies,” Phillip continued. “We live in a world where we know that we will have another flood, we will have more bushfires, we will have other events, and we wanted to make sure we had the best equipment available.”

The new equipment includes a full walk-in cool room, a small catering trailer and a completely self-sufficient truck.

“This is a full commercial kitchen on wheels built locally at Food Trailer Kings in South Murwillumbah,” said Philip. “It was great that the money from Woolworths was able to be invested back here in the Northern Rivers.

“This set-up allows us to be completely self-sufficient and roll up to any disaster and be ready to go in minutes. It has generation water storage, wastewater storage, fridges, freezers, gas ovens and the works.

“We are so excited to be able to establish a comprehensive emergency services fleet here in the Northern Rivers, and we will be here to serve the community in many ways in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.”

Captains Donna (centre) and Philip Sutcliffe with Ray Lotty, North NSW-ACT SAES Regional Coordinator.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said that Captains Philip and Donna Sutcliffe “… say they are blessed to be in this community; I say we are blessed to have them here. Thank you for everything that you have done and that we know you will continue to do.

“Having this equipment will really make a big difference because I saw what you did with nothing, and I know what you’ll be able to do with all of this.”

Daryl Crowden, SAES National General Manager, said that he is “excited to have passionate leaders, team members and new equipment prepositioned in The Salvation Army Northern Rivers and part of The Salvation Army Emergency Services - SAES NSW/ACT team. We know it’s important that we do all we can to be to make sure we are as well positioned as we can be to support one of Australia’s most hazard prone regions, but we couldn’t do it without Woolworths, team volunteers and members of the public that support us.”

The Salvation Army has been assisting in the Northern Rivers community since 1891.

*Some quotes courtesy LismoreApp. To read the full story, click here.