NSW SES - Tumut Unit

30/08/2026

29/08/2026

NavShield 2026 – Six Hours In!

Our two Tumut SES ASAR specialists are well underway at NavShield 2026 in Belanglo State Forest!

As of 3:00pm, the team has been navigating for 6 hours, covering approximately 11.3 km (7 miles) through the forest while hunting down checkpoints using traditional map and compass navigation.

And there’s still a long way to go! 🌲🧭

They'll continue navigating through the afternoon, into the night and right through until midday tomorrow, testing their navigation, route planning, teamwork and endurance along the way.

📍 LIVE TRACKING:
For anyone interested in following their progress, check out the link below, we've clipped a Garmin to them so we can see where they're going!

Keep checking back to see where the team ends up overnight!

https://live.garmin.com/session/b73dfd5d-ba3d-8591-890c-fb768e7a2601/token/438337EB217BD52D942D0C65F8DE0ED?fbclid=IwY2xjawT_SWBwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR7Wxl1K6pMPqAfHnJdu_0Alls1fT0YcZ3e5Dn__EcrIZg6coJq0EvO523yL_Q_aem_qp67p35yZ10GgRNYdSh60A

28/08/2026

And they are off!

Follow them live;

28/08/2026

🧭 Tumut SES taking on NavShield 2026! 🧭

This weekend, two members from NSW SES Tumut Unit, who are also qualified Alpine Search and Rescue (ASAR) operators, are putting their specialist skills to the test at NavShield 2026.

NavShield is the Australian Emergency Services Wilderness Navigation Shield, run by NSW SES Bush Search and Rescue. Our members are taking on the overnight two-day event, heading into the bush at 9am Saturday and not finishing until midday Sunday.

Armed with only a map and compass for navigation, teams must plot checkpoints, plan their own routes and navigate through rugged bushland — including throughout the night — to locate as many checkpoints as possible.

For our ASAR operators, NavShield is also a great opportunity to practise the navigation, endurance, teamwork and decision-making skills used when searching for missing or injured people in remote and difficult terrain.

📍 Want to follow their progress?
Tomorrow morning we’ll share a live Garmin tracking link, so our followers can watch the Tumut team make their way around the course in real time.

They’ve spent tonight preparing their maps and equipment, ready for a big 27 hours of navigation ahead.

Best of luck to our Tumut team — stay safe, trust the compass and enjoy the challenge!

25/08/2026

Tumut
flooding
Monitor conditions
Advice

NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to MONITOR CONDITIONS of the minor flooding on the Tumut River:

- Tumut

You should stay informed by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website, HazardWatch and pages, the Hazards Near me mobile app, local radio or television, and by following the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology online.

What are we expecting?

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rainfall observed from late Monday night into Tuesday has caused river level rises on the Tumut River.

Minor flooding may develop at Tumut from Tuesday afternoon. Further rainfall is forecast during Tuesday, which may lead to further river level rises.

River levels have now eased following a peak below the minor flood level overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.

The Tumut River at Tumut is currently at 1.10 m and falling, below the minor flood level. The Tumut River at Tumut is expected to remain below the minor flood level (2.00 m).

Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by floodwater:

- Low lying roads
- Low lying culverts
- Campgrounds
- Unsealed roads

View the full warning: https://hazardwatch.gov.au/a/O_U0El

Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app

For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Post current at 9:48am on Wednesday 26th August 2026.

25/08/2026

Tumut
flooding
Stay informed
Advice

NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to STAY INFORMED about predicted possible minor flooding on the Tumut River:

- Tumut

You should stay informed by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website, HazardWatch and pages, the Hazards Near Me mobile app, local radio or television, and by following the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology online.

What are we expecting?

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rainfall observed from late Monday night into Tuesday is causing river level rises on the Tumut River.

Minor flooding may develop at Tumut from Tuesday afternoon. Further rainfall is forecast during Tuesday, which may lead to further river level rises.

The Tumut River at Tumut is currently at 0.51 m and rising, below the minor flood level. The Tumut River at Tumut may reach around the minor flood level (2.00 m) Tuesday afternoon. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwater:

- Low lying roads
- Low lying culverts
- Campgrounds
- Unsealed roads

View the full warning: https://hazardwatch.gov.au/a/CFA7hj

Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app

For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Post current at 11:44am on Tuesday 25th August 2026.

24/08/2026

Tumut
flooding
Stay informed
Advice

NSW SES advises people in the following area(s) to STAY INFORMED about predicted possible minor flooding on the Tumut River:

- Tumut

You should stay informed by monitoring warnings issued by NSW SES on their website, HazardWatch and pages, the Hazards Near Me mobile app, local radio or television, and by following the latest weather information from the Bureau of Meteorology online.

What are we expecting?

The Bureau of Meteorology advises rainfall forecast from late Monday night into Tuesday is expected to bring river level rises on the Tumut River. Depending on the amount of rain that falls, minor flooding may develop at Tumut during Tuesday.

The Tumut River at Tumut is currently at 0.29 m and steady, below the minor flood level. The Tumut River at Tumut may reach the minor flood level (2.00 m) during Tuesday.

Based on predictions from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following areas may be impacted by dangerous floodwater:

- Low lying roads
- Low lying culverts
- Campgrounds
- Unsealed roads

View the full warning: https://hazardwatch.gov.au/a/zyhSuz

Download the Hazards Near Me App and set up ‘Watch Zones’ to receive warnings in real time. https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app

For emergency assistance during a flood, storm or tsunami, call the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Post current at 2:04pm on Monday 24th August 2026.

26/07/2026

A Huge Weekend for SES Tumut!

It has been a massive weekend for our volunteers, with members undertaking assessments, training and responding to operational incidents across the region.

🏔️ Alpine Search and Rescue

Four members from the Tumut Unit travelled into the rugged backcountry of the Main Range in Kosciuszko National Park to complete their Alpine Search and Rescue (ASAR) assessment weekend.

We're incredibly proud to announce that all four members successfully passed their assessments and are now qualified Alpine Search and Rescue Operators.

This is a significant milestone for our unit, with Tumut once again able to provide an operational Alpine Search and Rescue capability.

Their achievement is a testament to the countless hours of training, courses, preparation and commitment they have invested.

👏 Congratulations to all four members on this outstanding accomplishment!

🧭 Field Core Skills

At the same time, two of our volunteers travelled to Gundagai to complete the SES Field Core Skills course.

This training provides the essential foundation for members to progress into their chosen rescue operator pathways.

Congratulations to both members on successfully completing their assessments. We look forward to seeing you continue your rescue training journey.

🚨 Always Ready to Respond

Training doesn't stop us from serving our community.

On Saturday night, while members were away on assessment courses, the Tumut Unit was activated to respond to a General Rescue incident in Tumut.

The willingness of our volunteers to step forward—whether undertaking assessments, continuing training, or remaining on standby to protect our local community whilst others are away —demonstrates exactly what the NSW SES is all about: commitment, teamwork and service. Thank you to those that responded.

To everyone involved this weekend, congratulations on your achievements and thank you for your dedication to helping others.

Interested in making a difference?

If you'd like to become part of the NSW SES Tumut Unit, we'd love to hear from you.

23/07/2026

This weekend, while many of us are tucked up warm in bed, we’ll be thinking of our four Alpine Search and Rescue (ASAR) trainees from the Tumut Unit as they head into the Southern Snowy Mountains for their final assessment.

Current forecasts for the Kosciuszko alpine area suggest temperatures below zero overnight, strong westerly winds and the possibility of snow showers throughout the weekend.

Conditions may be cold, exposed and unforgiving — exactly the environment our trainees have been preparing for. Regardless of the weather, the assessment will be on.

Without knowing the exact assessment scenario, it’s likely they’ll be challenged to:

🧭 Navigate through remote alpine terrain using map and compass.

🚑 Locate, assess and manage simulated casualties.

🪢 Conduct rescue and extrication tasks.

⛺ Remain self-sufficient overnight in whatever weather the mountains deliver.

🤝 Work together as a capable and resilient team under pressure including in potentially whiteout conditions.

Once they step off for the assessment on Saturday morning, we won’t hear from them again until Sunday lunchtime — a true test of their skills, preparation and teamwork.

The mountains don’t care how much training you’ve done, only how well you can apply it when conditions are tough.

Good luck to our team. Stay safe, trust your training, back each other up, and enjoy the experience. We are all behind you and can’t wait to hear how you go.

06/07/2026

When the weather gets worse, our training gets better.

From Sunday into Monday, trainees of the NSW SES Tumut Unit - Alpine Search & Rescue (ASAR) team - headed into the high country to continue developing the specialist skills needed to operate in some of Australia’s harshest environments.

Over the two days, members trained in:

🏕️ Emergency storm shelter construction and survival - Using our Emergency Storm Shelter.

🤝 Team movement while linked together in simulated whiteout conditions.

🧭 Navigation using map and compass.

📍GPS navigation and pre-departure route planning.

🗺️ Route finding and relocation techniques.

🎒 Alpine pack management.

❄️ Movement and decision-making in cold, wet alpine conditions.

These skills are critical when searching for missing bushwalkers or snow enthusiasts, responding to emergencies in remote locations, and supporting communities during severe weather.

Our volunteers dedicate their own time to train so that when someone needs help, they’re ready to respond—day or night, rain, snow or shine.

💙 Could you be part of the team?

If you’re looking for a challenge, enjoy the outdoors, and want to make a real difference in your community, we’d love to have you. We have a range of positions and skills we require, and you fill that!

👉 Join the NSW SES Tumut Unit today:
🔗 https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/volunteer