Kevin O’Callaghan is an inspiring Australia hero, who selflessly risks life and limb, to save our Australian community in times of need.

Kevin has been a dedicated SES volunteer for over 34 years and plans to continue to assist emergency situations, for as long as he physically can. He embodies a passionate, pride for his volunteer role with the SES and is a beacon for all Australian SES members, who each represent a strong sense of patriotism and leadership.

Over his 34 years of SES serving, Kevin has assisted in several hundred emergency situations; working on an estimate of 20 per year, overall 680 operations. Now into retirement, Kevin avidly began serving the SES in 1981, as a foundation member of the Craigieburn Unit of the Victoria State Emergency service. Kevin’s enthusiasm and ambition, contributed to the numerous achievements in his volunteer career, rewarding him with the titles of Unit Deputy Controller (1981 – 1991), Controller (1991 – 2001) and Past Controller (2001 to the present).

“I served in the Army Reserve from 1971 to 1974 and gained several skills such as navigation, truck driving and bush-craft. When I had moved to Craigieburn in 1978 I was thinking of joining the CFA, however I saw an advertisement seeking people to help raise a volunteer road accident rescue Unit. The SES provided me with an opportunity to put my skills into practice in a manner that had real benefit to the Community.

“The SES provides me with practical aspects of employing specialist skills that I normally did not get to exercise in my employment as a logistics and project management officer with the Department of Defence. I worked for Defence for 42 years in an office environment, therefore the SES provided me with the opportunity to work outside and use highly physical skills,” Kevin says.

Kevin is on call 24/7, performing operational responses duties. He also undergoes weekly training, unit assessment and unit record duties, approximately committing eight hours a week on operational roles.

“As an SES Volunteer my role varies and depends on the community demand. Within the operational response department, I preform rescue operations, specifically road accident rescue and general rescue. In the operational and support roles, I perform training and assessor duties.

“ Kevin has assisted in the Ash Wednesday Bushfires in 1983, the Black Saturday Bushfires in 2009, Yallourn Fires which occurred across the state and across several weeks, several hundred road accidents and animal rescues.

“ I have gained incredible life experiences through the years, as well as complex technical skills that I wouldn’t have been able to acquire without SES experience. I have formed extremely close friendships that have lasted over 34 years, which I have gained through working in very adverse conditions.”

Kevin’s most memorable SES volunteer memory was being able to serve alongside his daughter at Road Accidents and watch her operate in a highly proficient manner.

“My daughter Claire met her husband through the SES and I had the privilege of working with my future son-in-law Dee Barry for over twelve years.

“Being recognized in the Australian Honors System with an Emergency Services Medal on Australia Day 2003, was an unforgettable moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I have also received recognition by VICSES as a Life Member for conspicuous service to the SES in 2015 along with three of my fellow Foundation members; Paul Ledwich, Alan Ker and Alan Penaluna.”

The most rewarding aspect of being an SES volunteer is the response Kevin receives from people he has assisted and recovered.

“Seeing someone that you have rescued recover and go on to live a positive and fruitful life. That is, seeing that you have made a difference. One chap that we rescued from a very difficult road accident twenty-one years ago still sends us Christmas Cards.”

Kevin recommends becoming an SES volunteer to all Australians who are keen in assisting their communities in times of dire need.

“You gain proficiency in life skills and get to employ them in real rescue situations. Your efforts provide a real and measureable benefit to the Community. Your contribution has an immediate impact.

“I have always considered the people who survive as the heroes and the rescuers as enablers – We use our skills to help those who are undergoing extremely traumatic times with incredible bravery.  

Kevin thanks his family for their support throughout his SES journey, without their considerate assistance,  Kevin would not have been able to live out his emergency safety passion, each and every day.