Since arriving to Griffith two years ago, Mr Ullah, a former salesman from Pakistan wanted to get involved in helping the local community and it's proving to be an excellent challenge.

"Since joining the SES I have done many jobs. Two weeks ago for example we had to help remove a fallen tree from a house in the middle of the night," Mr Ullah said.

"I have had many training sessions so far like dealing with road crashes and how to get into small spaces.

"My instructors are very good people. They treat me like I am an Australian not like a person from a different country."

On top of working full time at Baiada, Mr Ullah is always on call with the SES which he says keeps him busy enough to keep his mind off his family back in Pakistan.

"I joined the SES mainly to keep my mind off my family but I was involved with community service work in Pakistan in the past. I like helping people," Mr Ullah said.

"I think a lot about my son, who is four years old now and my wife and family back in Pakistan.

"It is difficult for them in Pakistan."

Mr Ullah arrived on Australian shores just over two years ago via a cattle courier ship to Perth. He spent a month in a detention centre in Darwin before he was given the opportunity to relocate to be with his cousin who has called Griffith home for 13 years.

Living apart from his family and in visa limbo takes its toll on his health, which is another reason he felt he needed to get more involved in community service in Griffith.

"I had a lot of free time before I joined the SES and my mind would wonder to think about my family and I would get very down," Mr Ullah said.

"So this keeps me busy plus it's my nature to help. I want to help the community."

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