After a long shift in the pouring, cold rain, all Kiama SES volunteer Ben Jackson wanted to do was shower and get into bed during the recent floods across the region.
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But when the call came for another rescue at 3.30am, he did not hesitate.
There were drivers trapped in cars who required rescuing and the team needed to paddle four kilometres in a raft to save two people, fives horses and four dogs from rising floodwaters.
Little did the 22-year-old and his three crew members know they would not get home until 10am on Sunday after starting their shift on Saturday morning.
But there were no complaints from him, or his teammates, who still found the strength to laugh and joke, not to mention being friendly faces to those who needed the services of the SES specialist flood team.
Kiama, Gerringong, Nowra and other South Coast suburbs were inundated with floodwater across the weekend.
Rainfall totals from Friday to Monday were nearly five times the monthly average in some areas.
"It was a big weekend," Mr Jackson said. "I was glad when it was over now as I was pretty exhausted.
"On Saturday and Sunday, Kiama crews attended dozens of jobs.
"We gave out sandbags and fixed roofs with tarps.
"I came home about 8pm on Saturday night for two hours then was activated to do reconnaissance in Shoalhaven Heads as the river was predicted to peak.
"My unit was then called to its first rescue job for a man trapped in his van in floodwater on Bolong Road.
"The man was sitting on his window, half out of the car. He was cold but very happy to see us.
"He made it quite far in his car before it clunked out. We rescued him by using our inflatable raft."
After more reconnaissance, the crew finished up about 3.30am but just as Mr Jackson had gotten into bed, his phone buzzed again.
"There was a report of a man trapped in a Land Cruiser about 50 metres further down on Bolong Road then the first rescue," he said.
"When we arrived on scene, SES crews from Nowra and Newcastle were already helping the driver. Thankfully we didn't have to get wet that time.
"It stunned me to see how far the car had gotten in floodwater. I don't know why 4WD drivers think they can get through the water. You should never drive, ride or walk through floodwaters."
Then it was time for a major rescue of two people, five horses and four dogs who became trapped, surrounded by rising water, on their property along Bolong Road.
"We came in from the northern side and had to paddle four kilometres in a raft from our car," Mr Jackson said.
"We planned to walk the horses out but thankfully the water had started to recede so we brought in a horse float and got everyone to safety.
"Then we had the long paddle back to our car."
After more than 24 hours on the job, Mr Jackson could finally rest his head when he got home about 10am, following a team debrief. But he was glad to have helped those in need.
"That was the worst flood I have seen," Mr Jackson said.
The university student said he had been in the unit for more than three years and had become a specialist flood technician, primarily involved in storm and flood rescue operations.
He has completed his on shore, boat and in water training, and keeps up his skills with regular training sessions once a week.
The man was sitting on his window, half out of the car. He was cold but very happy to see us.
- Ben Jackson
Another Kiama unit volunteer Deb Dunster didn't know how she could be useful in an organisation like the SES. But to her surprise, she has excelled in her roles.
Ms Dunster, a school teacher aged 57, loves being out in the field, and can often be found fixing roofs during storms.
"I didn't picture myself doing the adventurous jobs but I have been involved in land searches, flood rescues, road crashes, vertical rescues and community liaison roles," she said.
"I have enjoyed learning news skills and I love working as part of team that looks out for each other.
"I trust the people looking out for me when I put on a harness and now after six years I am often looking out for the newer volunteers."
Ms Dunster said she assisted over the weekend by providing sandbags, attending to fallen trees on roofs and turning back drivers at road closures.
Mr Jackson and Ms Dunster are just two of the 60 active volunteers at the Kiama unit. Commander Chis Warren praised the actions of his crews during the flood.
"The crews feel a bit fatigued but thankfully the crews now have a chance to recuperate," he said.
"It is important for the individual volunteer to manage their fatigue.
"It is hard for management to know if the volunteer has been at a 12-hour shift at their work before coming to help us out but we watch each and suggest someone has a break if they are looking fatigued."
In a similar vein, it is up to the individual to manage their mental health but the other crew members look out for one another and do regularly check ins.
"We are a close team, who get on well and socialise so we often see if something is not right with one of our members," Mr Warren said.
"If our crews have seen something confronting then myself or another member of the management team will call each member to make sure they are ok.
"We encourage members to talk to each other or a counsellor from the organisation."
Mr Jackson said he had been involved in some traumatic events and in his experience the organisation had been "fantastic" when dealing with mental health issues.
Mr Warren said the unit always welcomed new volunteers, however recruiting and training was on hold for now due to COVID-19 restrictions.
"If you are thinking about joining then give the SES a go," Ms Dunster said. "You will enjoy it and you get to try so many things you never thought you would be able to do."
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