THE annual Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) day will be held on Wednesday, May 20 to acknowledge and thank State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers around the state.

To celebrate the day buildings and art displays across WA will light up orange and the public are encouraged to wear a splash of orange to acknowledge SES volunteers.

Mundaring SES local manager Rod Potter said WOW day was celebrated at different eastern metropolitan units each year and would be at the Bayswater SES unit this year.

“Mundaring SES was the first unit to initiate this round-robin WOW day,” Mr Potter said.

“WOW day is a great way to highlight the need for support in our communities.

“It also helps local volunteers understand the hills environment and the challenges we face in terms of fires, local flooding, storms and searches.”

Mr Potter encouraged people to prepare for storms and flooding as winter approached.

“Keep gutters clean, keep trees away from homes, check for leaking roofs and make sure your insurance is up to date,” he said.

“We were very busy at the beginning of the year with the storms that came through.

“Mundaring SES volunteers also provide logistical support during bushfires, repair homes which suffer major storm damage and assist authorities with missing person searches.”

Shire of Mundaring president Paige McNeil said SES volunteers were at the heart of emergency preparedness and response.

“The Shire of Mundaring is proud of the dedication and commitment shown by our SES volunteers,” Mrs Paige said.

“WOW Day is an important opportunity to acknowledge the contribution they make across the Perth Hills.”

For more information go to: www.mundar ingses.com.au