Re-formation of the Newman State Emergency Service took place late in 1992, after a serious incident took place on the Great Northern Highway.  Sergeant Robert Dawes of the Newman Police took on the challenge of getting the unit going after it was disbanded in 1988.  Russel Hayes from the regional headquarters came to Newman to be greeted by 18 willing volunteers.  Equipment was retrieved from the Army Reserves storage shed that was left over from the old unit.  The Headquarters at the time was a double door garage next to the East Pilbara Shire depot.  With growing volunteer numbers and more equipment being bought the shed was no longer big enough to accommodate the units needs.

The then Local Manager Iain Burns together with Eric Collins, his deputy, took on the task of raising funds in order to procure larger premises.  Late in 1994 the East Pilbara Shire found that they owned the old Hedland College land and buildings.  Hedland College at the time were not using all the facilities, so it was agreed that the SES could move in and share the facilities.  In March 1995 the SES unit was in the process of moving into the new headquarters when Cyclone Kirsty decided to visit our little town.  Telstra and BHP radio technicians were asked to urgently move the radios and telephones to the new unit for the onset of the effects from the cyclone, this took about 2 hours and the new unit was ready for anything.

Since the beginning the Newman Unit has grown from strength to strength and with funding from BHP Billiton, HBF, the East Pilbara Shire, Lotteries Commission and Emergency Management Australia with the dedication of the volunteers, the unit has been able to purchase vehicles, equipment and make extensions to the existing buildings.