Hunter NSW SES units prepare for storm assistance amid coronavirus COVID-19 concerns

Deputy zone commander for the Hunter NSW State Emergency Service Peter Green said anyone who required assistance in the event of a storm or weather event could still contact the SES and receive help.

"If the weather does pick up, we're here," he said, adding that weather could be unpredictable at this time of year.

"We're making sure that internally we're working with all the volunteers and social distancing as much as possible, so we can still respond when needed.

"We've identified the difference between essential and non-essential training.

"We've tried to modify what we do so we don't bring large groups of people together unnecessarily and determine what is essential and making sure our certification is current, and skills and equipment ready to go."

Mr Green said the SES had been increasingly using emails and phone calls to pass information around instead of meeting in person, spreading teams apart where possible in training, limiting contact and implementing extra handwashing.

"We want to keep all of our people safe so they can maintain that response when they need to," he said.

"It is an unpredictable time of the year, weather wise.

"The weather's been good but, just in case it does pick up, we want to reassure the community that if they need help, they can still call.

"The lines are still open and teams are ready to respond when required."

Mr Green added that the phone line messaging may sound a little different to previous times when people call for help, but that the service was still there.

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