Useless Loop SES Gascoyne complete $140k upgrade to facility for faster response times and improved wellbeing

A recently completed upgrade to remote State Emergency Service volunteer headquarters hopes to bolster training capabilities and improve emergency response times in the Shark Bay area. Useless Loop SES has a new facility to boost wellbeing, operations and training following a $140,000 upgrade. The SES unit and Shark Bay Resources Emergency Response Team will share the building under an agreement with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services. The upgraded facilities now feature three offices, a large training room, a kitchen, laundry and preparation area and storage spaces. Shark Bay Resources contributed $90,000 to the upgrade, and the remaining $50,000 was funded through the Emergency Services Levy. Formed in 1988 for the mining town Useless Loop, the operation services the southern peninsula of the Shire of Shark Bay, attending road crashes, severe storms, rescues, and land searches in the area. The unit also responds to major incidents in the Mid West/Gascoyne district. Emergency Services Minister Stephen Dawson said ensuring WA volunteers have access to modern facilities was a key part of offering support and enabling better preparation and operations. “We can’t take for granted the people who are prepared to drop everything at a moment’s notice and put their lives on the line to protect their local community,” he said. “These much-needed upgrades will not only make a big difference in how the Useless Loop SES train and respond to incidents, but also to build camaraderie within their own team and other emergency responders.” Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Peter Foster said the upgrades were welcomed to the tourist hotspot. “The Shire of Shark Bay is a busy area for travellers and tourists alike who rely on the skills and experience of our emergency services volunteers to keep them safe,” he said.