Keeping SES in the family

Like son, like father, the men in the Francheschini family understand how important it is to help in the community.

Marcus Francheschini, 24, joined the Canning-South Perth State Emergency Services Unit in September 2010 to "gain new skills, knowledge, meet new people and assist the community".

His father Jim, 57, joined the same unit in February this year for the same reasons after recently retiring from the public service.

"I find it very self-rewarding responding to a call-out, the amount of time you spend volunteering . . . you give the time in and you get a lot back from it and the people who go and assist, you get a lot of thankyous," Marcus Francheschini said.

This week marks Storm Awareness Week and the 25th anniversary of National Volunteers Week.

SES district officer South Coastal Will Blackshaw said a number of recruits had recently joined SES units across WA and the extra hands would be of great help as the organisation braced for another wet and windy storm season.

He said volunteers responded to more than 880 requests for help for storm-related damage last year.

He urged householders to trim branches, clear gutters and downpipes and secure loose items.