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WINTER 2021
EDITION 15
VICSES SUPPORTS
INTERSTATE Women in
Rescue
DEPLOYMENTS events
held
across
Celebrating Wear Orange Wednesday 2021 Victoria
CONTENTS
Highlights from the winter edition
What’s happening
Driver Reviver Easter launch pg. 08
across our regions:
10 CENTRAL Brand new home for
12 EAST
Chelsea Unit.
Moe Unit celebrates 50 years
14 MID WEST
as founders of Driver Reviver.
Climbing to new heights
with Mid West Technical
16
Rescue Team!
NORTH EAST
Units without borders:
Pride March Working as one with
2021
18
NSW SES.
pg. 09
NORTH WEST
North West Regional
20 SOUTH WEST
Headquarters Unit profile.
Exercise Arbalest.
Take the 15 to Float THANK YOU TO
OF OUR MEMBER
ALL
S WHO
WINTER 2021
challenge!
HAVE SUP
Front Cover:
PORTED RECENT
INTERSTATE DEPLOYMENTS
pg. 29
Members deployed
Creating safer
communities –
Together EDITION 15
to Western Australia
Interested in contributing? VICSES SUPPOR
TS
Submit your article here: INTERSTATE
DEPLOYMENT
S
Women in
Rescue
events
publications@ses.vic.gov.au
Celebrating Wear held
Orange Wedne across
sday 2021
Victoria
Authorised and published This magazine is printed on ecoStar 100% recycled,
by Victoria State Emergency an environmentally responsible paper made carbon
Service, 168 Sturt Street, neutral. It has been independently certified by the Forest
Southbank, Victoria. © State Stewardship Council ® (FSC ®). ecoStar is manufactured from
The Victoria State Emergency Service respectfully acknowledges
of Victoria, Victoria State 100% post consumer recycled paper in a Process Chlorine
the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters. We pay our
Emergency Service, June 2021. Free environment under the ISO 14001 environmental
respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
management system.
MESSAGE FROM THE ACTING MINISTER
FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
Welcome to the second edition of
Community Matters for 2021.
Welcome
We’re almost halfway through 2021 Back home, our volunteers have been
and I’d like to acknowledge the busy. Since the start of 2021, VICSES
resilience of all Victorians as we has responded to over 9,000 requests
continue to face the challenges of the for assistance, with over half of these
coronavirus pandemic. for fallen trees. Hello everyone, and welcome to
Requests for assistance also
As we brace for the winter conditions
ahead, I have no doubt our VICSES included almost 1,000 call-outs the winter edition of Community
volunteers will continue to be out
there supporting communities
for building damage, over 750 for
flood, approximately 1,200 requests
Matters, our second for 2021.
across the state. to support our other emergency
service agencies, and over 530 road Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone for your participation in this
Following the onset of La Niña- year’s Wear Orange Wednesday event on the 19th of May. Our
crash rescues.
generated weather patterns, Victorians volunteers are the backbone of VICSES, and have contributed
experienced an intense icy blast at It was great to see this effort celebrated significantly over the past 12 months to the safety of communities
the start of autumn, following a wetter across Victoria on Wear Orange across Victoria, and interstate. You can read more about our Wear
than usual summer. Wednesday in May. Victorians were Orange Wednesday celebrations on page 6.
encouraged to dress in orange, an
In March, New South Wales In March and April, our members were deployed interstate to
iconic part of the VICSES identity, and it
experienced one of the biggest assist the response to severe flooding in New South Wales,
was amazing to see so many displays of
flooding in events in over five decades as well as to support in the aftermath of Cyclone Seroja in
support across social media.
and in their time of need, VICSES Western Australia. Our volunteers and staff were deployed
was there to support our friends It’s vital that we continue to support across a range of liaison, incident management and operational
across the border. our volunteers in carrying out their roles, providing crucial emergency support for our emergency
selfless work by ensuring they colleagues and communities interstate. Thank you all for your
VICSES deployed 24 members to
have the equipment needed to incredible dedication.
New South Wales to provide additional
keep Victorians safe during major
incident management support and In May we also took part in the annual Midsumma Pride March,
weather emergencies.
coordinate crucial requests. in support of the LGBTIQA+ community. Although attendance
Earlier this year, we announced the was limited due to COVID-19, we had an overwhelming response
On the opposite side of the country,
latest round of Volunteer Emergency to those wanting to participate and celebrate the diversity of our
residents in Western Australia braced
Services Equipment Program (VESEP) members and the community. We are an inclusive organisation,
for Cyclone Seroja, which ravaged
grants, which includes more than and it’s a great opportunity for our members to represent us
parts of the state.
$2.35 million for VICSES units. at this event.
By the end of May 2021, there had
We also unveiled the new $7 million Last year, we invited volunteers and staff to participate in
been three deployments of VICSES
site for the VICSES Chelsea Unit with workshops as part of a new VICSES Gender Champions group.
personnel as part of a Victorian
a six-bay drive-through motor room, Since its establishment, the group has continued to meet to build
taskforce supporting the relief effort,
and additional storage for boats ideas and improved opportunities for our Gender Equality Action
made up of 63 volunteers and eight
and equipment. It will also enable Plan and new Gender Equality Act. I look forward to sharing more
staff members.
volunteers to assist in a wider area, information with you soon on our continued commitment to
I’m proud of our VICSES volunteers taking in two-thirds of the Kingston improving gender equality and inclusion for all of our members.
who didn’t hesitate to help our local government area, including part
neighbours – I know they’re incredibly of Port Phillip Bay. Finally, as we work towards a more gender balanced service, in
grateful for the unwavering support. April I was able to attend this year’s Women in Rescue event at
I’d like to thank every one of our Sunbury Unit. First founded by the unit in 2018, this year’s event
VICSES volunteers, who continually was bigger than ever, with units across Victoria hosting their
rise to the challenge to support very own workshops to provide female members with a safe
communities around Victoria and and supportive environment to learn new skills and encourage
across Australia. leadership. You can read more on page 7.
Danny Pearson MP I hope you enjoy this edition of Community Matters, and stay safe.
Acting Minister for Police
and Emergency Services Kind regards,
Stephen Griffin
CEO Victoria State Emergency Service
03
FEATURES
VICSES
supports WA deployment:
Cyclone Seroja
interstate Alongside deployments to NSW (page 5),
deployments VICSES provided crucial support to WA to assist
in responding to the significant damage caused
by Cyclone Seroja.
By Jessie Schleibs, Operations Business Coordinator, VHO
F
rom 12 to 27 A range of VICSES vehicles and
April, a total of 71 equipment were also sent to WA
Over the past 18-months, our members have made VICSES members to support operations on-board
significant contributions across a range of major were deployed to WA, a Royal Australian Airforce C17A
encompassing 63 volunteers Globemaster aircraft, including:
emergency events. From the 2019-20 bushfire and 8 staff members.
• 2 Medium Rescue Trucks.
season, COVID-19 and local severe weather, this Roles undertaken during this • 3 Rescue Support 4x4s.
year VICSES volunteers and staff have also played period included:
• Safe Working at Heights
an integral role in supporting our colleagues and • Jurisdictional System kits.
communities interstate. Liaison Officers. • First Aid kits.
• Level 3 Accredited • A variety of additional
Logistics Officer. consumables and tools,
Here’s a snapshot of our recent deployments to including chainsaws.
• Divisional Commander.
New South Wales (NSW) and Western Australia • Taskforce Leaders. • Communication caches,
(WA), and the incredible dedication of our people. • Crew Members. including mobile phones,
satellite phones, antennae
and associated chargers
and equipment.
04
NSW deployment:
Flooding
During March, VICSES was
part of a wider multi-agency
interstate deployment to
support NSW in response to
Utilising these vehicles and equipment, a challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic
variety of tasks were undertaken by VICSES has placed on interstate travel, which
major wide-spread flooding.
crews, such as: thankfully did not deter personnel from The flooding was described
volunteering their time to help."
• Temporary repair of damaged buildings. as a one-in-70-year event, and
• Tree operations. was declared a natural disaster
• Damage assessment and reconnaissance. MANY by the NSW government.
THANKS
B
• Community welfare checks.
• Logistics and logistical support duties. etween 21 and 29 March,
The hard work of our members was
Once again, VICSES deployed a total
of 28 members (volunteers
recognised by the affected communities, thank you for and staff) from across the state to the
as well as those who responded as
your continuous
following NSW locations:
part of our emergency services sector,
support and for
including a special message from • Coffs Harbour. • Newcastle.
WA Fire and emergency Services • Bankstown. • Sydney.
Commissioner Darren Klemm: assisting with the • Metford. • Wollongong.
“I would like to take this opportunity to emergency response • Taree.
acknowledge and personally thank all of the
VICSES volunteers and staff, for the invaluable to the impacted Our members undertook a variety of key
communities across
assistance provided to the WA Department positions, including Incident Management
of Fire and Emergency Services during the Team roles in operational centres,
response efforts following the impact of the Mid-West and Divisional Command roles alongside
our Forest Fire Management Victoria
Wheatbelt regions
Tropical Cyclone Seroja on 11 April 2021.
colleagues, and as part of a Jurisdictional
of WA in their time
The damage caused by the cyclone impacted Liaison team that was deployed to work
multiple communities across a 133,430km2 alongside our partner SES agencies from
area. The distances involved and remoteness of need.” across Australia.
of many of these towns meant that multiple
task forces were required to be deployed to On 26 March, the Australian Prime
get help to these communities as quickly as Minister Scott Morrison toured one of the
possible. The widespread loss of power and A huge thank you to everyone involved in emergency operation centres to thank
telecommunications added to the challenges these deployments, and your contributions local and interstate SES volunteers for all of
of the response operation. in ensuring the safety of communities their efforts in responding to the event.
across Australia. Volunteers and staff members from
The assistance provided by VICSES was
invaluable in enabling us to reach the affected You can read more information about NSW SES spoke very highly of VICSES’
communities, and provide an emergency those deployed from our regions on pages contribution and support during the
response in the immediate aftermath of the 14, 17 and 21. n operations, with particular praise for
cyclone impact. I also acknowledge the those members who provided support in
Incident Control Centre’s and to the Public
Information team. n 05
FEATURES
Wear Orange
Wednesday 2021
A
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate Communications Officer, VHO fter an incredibly busy weather presenter Jane Bunn, the
period with significant Hawthorn and Geelong Football
On Wednesday 19 May, we flood and storm events,
deployments, COVID-19 and much
Clubs, and many more, which were
shared on social media.
came together to celebrate Wear more, this year’s celebrations
were a fantastic opportunity URBNSURF jumped on board to
Orange Wednesday (WOW Day) for the community to show give back to our volunteers, with
special discounts available for our
their appreciation for our local
– a national day of thanks for our heroes in orange. volunteers to take a break surfing at
their surf park in Tullamarine.
amazing volunteers. Ahead of the Wednesday, a
Our Principle Community Partner
media opportunity to promote
this year’s WOW Day event AAMI once again supported
was held on Saturday 15 May at our WOW Day Pet Competition
AAMI Park. Speakers at the event to find the best dressed pet in
included Penny Callaghan, the orange, with 5 x $100 Bunnings
mother of Will Callaghan, who vouchers for our volunteer
expressed her gratitude for our winners. You can check this year’s
100+ VICSES volunteers each day, winners on the Hub.
who were involved in supporting Finally, as an impressive display
the successful search of her to close-out our celebrations,
son on Mount Disappointment locations across Victoria including
back in June 2020. AAMI Park, the Melbourne Star, the
Communities across Victoria Bolte Bridge, town halls, and other
celebrated WOW Day on 19 May great regional locations, were lit
by dressing in orange, hosting up in orange to acknowledge the
orange-themed events with their fantastic work of our volunteers.
colleagues, friends and family, and Thank you to all of our volunteers
sharing special messages of thanks. for your ongoing contributions
We also received video messages and dedication, and to everyone
from actors, TV personalities and who helped us in celebrating
sports stars, including Aussie WOW Day 2021! n
actor Shane Jacobson, Channel 7
06
Women
in Rescue
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate Communications Officer, VHO
On Saturday 17 April, VICSES units
across the state hosted their very own
Women in Rescue events, providing an and train in a safe and supportive
opportunity for the women of their unit environment together.
Our female first
to get hands-on with equipment, build “Women in Rescue started
because we wanted to show that responders at
on rescue skills, and have fun! women are part of all of it, and
can use some pretty heavy duty
VICSES are
F
ounded by Sunbury Unit Across participating units, key
tools,” said Angela. incredible, and
in 2018, the event was activities on the day included “Our women in orange are attend highly
established with the road crash rescue training, capable, resourceful, and highly
aim to promote the following four casualty handling, domestic skilled, and contribute to the complex and
key priorities: rescue, and more. safety of our community equally
alongside our male colleagues.”
challenging
• Building women’s
confidence in all roles
In addition, Sunbury Unit hosted
Gisborne Unit Deputy Controller Di Torquay Unit Controller Rachel
incidents.”
associated with a rescue. Dale as guest speaker on the day, Vella also spoke about the
• Increasing familiarity with whose passionate and motivational importance of the initiative, hosting vehicles – but that isn’t true. We
rescue tools through more talk about the contributions of the unit's own Women in Rescue have a growing contingent of
‘hands on tools’ time. women within the emergency event on the day with special guest women in South West Region who
services sector was streamed via attendee, Emergency Management tackle a whole range of hand-on,
• Providing a positive,
Webex for all members. Commissioner Andrew Crisp (read life-saving duties and requests for
welcoming and challenging
more on page 21). assistance," said Rachel.
learning environment. Sunbury Unit volunteer Angela
• Expanding leadership Lane has been a key organiser of “A lot of people assume that it’s Thank you to everyone that was
capacity and networking the event since its beginnings, only our male members who use involved in making this year’s
opportunities of women in recognising the need for more heavy-duty tools, drive VICSES Women in Rescue event the biggest
emergency services. opportunities for women to learn trucks, and cut people out of yet – see you next year! n
07
CAMPAIGNS
& EVENTS
Driver Reviver
Easter launch
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate Communications Officer, VHO
In March we officially launched our Driver
Reviver program ahead of the Easter long VICSES
weekend, encouraging drivers to stop, SUPPORT AFL
revive, and arrive alive at their destination. SEASON LAUNCH
H
eld in Southbank, key Victoria Deputy Commissioner Gavin
speakers for this ministerial Freeman, Country Fire Authority
event included VICSES Deputy Chief Officer Garry Cook, and
Chief Officer Operations Tim Wiebusch, representatives from our Principle
Acting Minister for Police and Community Partner AAMI.
Emergency Services Danny Pearson,
Minister for Roads and Safety Ben With easing COVID-19 restrictions, over
Carroll, and Victoria Police Deputy 20 VICSES Driver Reviver sites were
Commissioner Libby Murphy. activated across the state for the Easter By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate
long weekend, providing free coffee, Communications Officer, VHO
O
VICES Pakenham Unit volunteer Andre tea and snacks to motorists, to help
Ackaoui also spoke to media, sharing prevent driver fatigue on our roads. The n March 17, VICSES was privileged to be
the story of his own involvement in a campaign also coincided with a new involved in the launch of the 2021 AFL season
serious road incident that was attended Driver Reviver video for social media, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
to by VICSES, and the importance which is available for all units on the Essendon Unit volunteer Sandy Faoro sounded the
of initiatives like Driver Reviver to Hub under My State > Media and ‘The First Siren’ at the MCG, alongside 11 other stadiums
support road safety. Communications > Video Library. across Australia ahead of the seasons’ first game.
Volunteers organised through Sunbury Thank you to all of our volunteers Sandy has volunteered with VICSES for 39 years,
Unit attended the day, hosting a road who gave up their time over the long and described the last 12-18 months as the most
crash rescue demonstration for the weekend to support our Driver Reviver challenging of her time as part of the emergency services.
media and those in attendance. sites, and the safety of our communities. This opportunity was a great way to acknowledge
Other attendees that supported You can read more about Andre’s the hard work of Sandy, and all of our volunteers
the launch included Fire Rescue story on page 10. n during this time. n
08
Photo: Vladimir Dayrit
Wrap-up: 2021
Pride March Victoria Police
and Emergency
2021 By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate
Communications Officer, VHO Service Games
By Gerry Sheridan, Operations Officer
On Sunday 23 May, our members came together Capability Improvement, VHO
T
once again to participate as part of the annual he 2021 Victoria Police and
Midsumma Pride March! Emergency Service Games were
held from 17 to 21 March in the
E
regional city of Geelong. The short format over
stablished in 1996, five days was to celebrate the 40th anniversary
the Midsumma Pride since the games inception. After what has
March is an annual been a difficult year with COVID-19 and busy
celebration of the lesbian, operational periods, it was great to have all of
gay, bisexual, transgender, our emergency services together to participate.
queer and intersex community, As the 2020 games were cancelled due to the
embracing diversity and pandemic environment, this year’s event was
uniting thousands every year in even more special for everyone involved!
solidarity towards equality.
VICSES put the call-out for members to
VICSES is a long-time participate and we were not disappointed, with
supporter and participant of this year’s team having our largest contingency
the Pride March, as an event in over five years! In total, we had 107 VICSES
that reflects the diversity within members participate, with 226 individual
the communities we serve, entries across all of the sports on offer. 107 was
and our own organisation. "Pride March demonstrates of this fantastic event," said our lucky number, with 107 medals also won
tolerance and support for all VICSES Chief Executive across the event, including 60 gold, 31 silver,
Although this year’s march
community members, and Officer Stephen Griffin, who and 16 bronze. A number of members won a
looked a little different due
highlights the importance of also participated alongside bag full of medals; however a standout was
to COVID-19, our members
eliminating discrimination, members on the day. Maroondah Unit member Rainer Langhoff, who
proudly rallied alongside
bullying and harassment. brought home a whopping 13 medals!
our emergency service Thank you to everyone that
colleagues in support of the I'm incredibly proud of
supported this fantastic event. This year we also saw the introduction of our
LGBTIQA+ community. our members who have
Together, we are VICSES! n new sporting apparel, which was well received
attended today in support
and worn with pride across the athletics track,
cross fit gym, squash court, surfing, indoor
rowing, and dodgeball events to mention a few.
Are you a VICSES member We now turn our preparations to the
and identify as part of the Australasian Police and Emergency Service
Games, which will take place in New Zealand
LGBTIQA+ community? in March 2022.
Search for the VICSES Pride Well done to all of our participating members,
Network on Facebook and thank you for representing VICSES! n
09
CENTRAL
Brand new
“Chelsea Unit is one of
VICSES’ longest serving
units, and it’s important
home for that volunteers have the
space and resources they
Chelsea Unit
need to effectively respond
to incidents and support
Victoria Police and other
emergency services,” he said
in a statement.
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate
1 January – 31 March Communications Officer, VHO
This statement was also
mirrored by Parliamentary
As one of our organisations longest running Secretary for Police
units, Chelsea Unit will soon be moving into and Emergency
Services, Paul Edbrooke.
brand new local headquarters, thanks to a
“We’re continually looking
large government investment.
at ways we can better
1,976 E
support our current and
stablished in 1953, requests for assistance future volunteers – ensuring
Chelsea Unit in the last financial year, they receive the training and
currently operates including response for floods, facilities they need to do
out of Bonbeach Reserve with fallen trees, damage to their job,” he said.
around 58 active volunteers. property, search-and-rescue
Volunteers Chelsea Unit will soon
operations, and more. Construction on the new
facilities at Chelsea Heights
2,938
benefit from a $7 million Acting Minister for Police and begins this winter, and is
investment from the Victorian Emergency Services Danny scheduled for completion by
government, which will Pearson says the funding the end of December, 2021. n
allow the unit to move to comes at a good time.
a converted warehouse
at 13 Ashley Park Drive,
Requests for assistance Chelsea Heights.
The new facility will boast a
six-bay drive-through
15% Building motor room, additional
damage
storage for boats and
equipment, as well as recently
50 % 13% Support
other upgraded infrastructure. It will
agencies also enable volunteers to assist
Tree down
in a wider area, taking in two
10% Rescue thirds of the Kingston local
government area, including
10 %
Flood
2% part of Port Phillip Bay.
The new build follows a very
Other busy period at the unit, with
members responding to 325
10DRIVER REVIVER LAUNCH:
Pakenham Unit
member shares story
of road crash rescue
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate Communications Officer, VHO
To help promote our Driver Reviver campaign and Although finally being freed “Sometimes being the responder
of the vehicle, Andre suffered is hard and you’re faced with some
road safety over this year’s Easter long weekend, significant injuries, and was in a challenging scenes, but being
VICSES Pakenham Unit member Andre Ackaoui coma for nine days. in the collision yourself is not
something I’d want anyone to go
shared his story of how his fellow VICSES volunteers Thankfully, Andre survived through,” said Andre.
the ordeal and is on the way
saved his life after a serious road collision.
to recovery, all thanks to the “I’ve been very lucky and am
A
assistance from his fellow VICSES making a good recovery, but I
ndre Ackaoui has In August 2020, Andre was
volunteers and emergency want to urge everyone out there
volunteered with involved in a serious road collision
service responders. to take care driving on our roads.
VICSES Pakenham while driving his truck on the Hume
If you see a Driver Reviver site on
Unit for the past 10 years, since Freeway in Wallan. For the first Reflecting on the trauma of the your journey, make sure you drop
he was 17-years-old. During this time, Andre found himself as the incident, Andre spoke to media in and say hello and thanks to our
time Andre has responded to casualty of a road crash rescue - not at the launch of the Driver Reviver VICSES volunteers.”
many requests for assistance, the first responder. campaign to encourage the
including over 100 road community to stay safe over the Thank you to Andre for sharing his
crash rescues alongside his VICSES Craigieburn Unit and local
Easter long weekend by pulling story, and we wish Andre all the
highly-trained unit members. Country Fire Authority members
over at a VICSES volunteer-run best on his road to recovery. n
swiftly responded to the incident,
Driver Reviver location to stop,
involving a complex three-
rest, and refresh.
hour extraction.
Government House emergency services mural
A
‘thank-you’ mural has
been showcased at
By Gabi Barkmeyer, Corporate Communications Officer, VHO Government House
in honour of our Victorian
emergency service personnel,
including VICSES.
The mural was commissioned by
the Governor of Victoria Linda
Dessau AC, and created by artist
Heesco Khosnaran to encapsulate
the gratitude felt by so many
Victorians for those working in our
emergency services.
From the devastating 2019-20
bushfires, COVID-19 and recent
severe flooding, the mural is a
true reflection of the dedication
of our sector across the state
in keeping our communities
safe. Thank YOU! n
11Gippsland enhances
Road Crash Rescue and
Rescue Boat Skills
By Merryn Henderson, Community Resilience Coordinator, East Region
EAST
1 January – 31 March
The VICSES Gippsland Training team quick and efficient responses
to incidents. Regular on-water
coordinated and facilitated their annual multi- time is crucial in maintaining
agency Road Crash Rescue (RCR) and Rescue and enhancing their boating
skills, ensuring a high-level
Boat Workshops over the past few months.
438
readiness is maintained all
T
year around. VICSES Rescue
he VICSES Sale “In essence we want to Boat Coxswain/Crewpersons
Unit hosted the ensure the training is have advanced knowledge
Road Rescue consistent across the state, and skills to enable them
Volunteers Workshop on Saturday 17 and
Sunday 18 of April. All 18 RCR
so the skills and knowledge
are being conveyed the
to confidently lead a boat
and crew during rescue
768
units had representatives in same,” said Gerry. boat operations.
attendance, as well as Victoria
Police, Ambulance Victoria, Topics covered in both theory Various scenarios were held
Fire Rescue Victoria and and hands on scenarios including search and rescue,
Gerry Sheridan from our State included command and emergency drills, navigation,
Operations team. control, medical and patient and depth checking
Requests for assistance considerations, alternative of river levels.
These RCR workshops are tool techniques, battery tools,
held to ensure our members ramming options, and new Non- boating members also
have the latest up-to-date RCR hydraulic tool use and attended with the regions
Building information in relation to safe application. The day ended Field Operations Vehicle to
8% damage and effective road rescue skills, with a multi -car motor vehicle set up an Incident Control
Point for communications
66 % Support techniques and options. The accident with a bus and mass
other training team, which consists patient scenario. and local command.
10% agencies
Tree down of both staff and volunteer “These sessions will ensure
instructors, bring learnings Earlier in the year, a Rescue
10% Rescue Boat Workshop was held on that our volunteer members
in from both the State RCR across Gippsland are upskilled
Workshop and any trends from 27 February at Blue Rock Lake,
4% with the latest training
2% the Road Rescue Capability upstream of the Tanjil River.
and information to better
Assessments, ensuring VICSES deckhands, protect our communities
Other Flood that our members have the crewpersons and coxswains when they need us,” said
opportunity to improve and spend many hours on the Anthony Matters, Gippsland
enhance their skills. water during the year to enable Regional Trainer. n
12Dignitaries
visit Leongatha
and Orbost Units
By Jane Fontana, Community Resilience Coordinator, East Region
In late March, Leongatha and Orbost Units had the appreciation from the Commissioner for the
important work they do.
pleasure of separate visits from important dignitaries. In the same month, Governor-General David
V
Hurley and Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley
ictorian Emergency Management their community. Andrew commented that our travelled to East Gippsland Shire to meet
Commissioner Andrew Crisp paid VICSES volunteers are the ‘swiss army knife’ of with local volunteers, including Orbost Unit.
a visit to Leongatha Unit on 31 the emergency services; both in our capacity to Both guests were struck by the volunteers’
March to attend their unit social night. Andrew respond to such a range of operations, and in experiences and contributions – particularly over
spent time getting to know the members and the quality of the service that we provide. The the last 18-months – and their commitment to
thanked them for the work that they put into members appreciated the personal thanks and the safety of their community. n
Moe Unit celebrates 50 years as founders
of Driver Reviver By Jane Fontana, Community Resilience Coordinator, East Region
The following year, Steve suggested they
set up stopovers to encourage people to
stop and take a break on their journey. They
asked suppliers for donations of coffee, tea
and other supplies, growing the initiative into
‘Operation Coffee Break’.
"From its humble beginnings and the support
of some magnificent members of Moe Unit,
the initiative set its roots and became a national
campaign, with Driver Reviver rest stops all over
the country," said Steve.
M
“From its humble beginnings and the support
safety program. Moe Unit volunteer Steve
oe Unit are celebrating 50 years of some magnificent members of Moe Unit, the
Wandmaker, son of the units first Controller
of dedicated service to the initiative set its’ roots and became a national
Herb Wandmaker, first came up with the idea for
community this year, from humble event, with other states starting up Driver Reviver
the initiative in the early 1980s.
beginnings in 1971 as the Moe Civil Defence. stops all over the country,” said Steve.
Out of frustration over the carnage on highways
In the past 12 months, Moe Unit has responded Today, alongside celebrating their 50-year
across Gippsland, Steve hatched the idea to line
to over 200 requests for assistance, including anniversary, Moe Unit has also recently become
the Princes Highway from Melbourne to East
call-outs for trees down, building damage, fully road crash rescue accredited, enhancing
Gippsland with VICSES volunteers over holiday
flooding, storms, land search and rescue, and their contributions to road safety even more.
weekends. Decked out in orange overalls and
various other emergencies.
holding signs and flashing orange lights, the “Our volunteers have worked very hard to
In addition, Moe Unit is also where the Driver initiative made motorists more aware of the undertake all the required technical training for
Reviver program started its humble beginnings, dangers while travelling on our roads, and was this to happen, and we are very proud of them,”
before becoming a nationally recognised road a great success. said Moe Unit Controller Brad Henry. n
13Ballarat Unit
MID
supports
WEST
overwhelmed with requests
interstate
for assistance, and turned
to other states for assistance
via the Australian Federal
deployments
Government arrangements
under AUSDISPLAN.
The request called for crews
By Gavin Kelly, Regional Officer Emergency Management, with Safe Working at Heights
1 January – 31 March Mid West Region and chainsaw skills. Ballarat
Unit promptly organised
Over the past months, volunteers and staff four very experienced
from Mid West Region have offered their members for deployment from
13 to 17 April.
skills and support via recent deployments
The crew, including unit
to New South Wales (NSW) and Western members Chris Bluett, Ben
Australia (WA).
405
Lynch, Trent Oldaker and
Wizz Rennie, first travelled
I
n March, VICSES difference to communities by commercial flight to Perth
members were during their time of need. where they stayed overnight.
deployed to NSW to The deployment was a great The following morning they
support the response to the opportunity for me to utilise flew to Geraldton via a RAAF
Volunteers state’s severe flooding. The and strengthen my Divisional C130 (Hercules) aircraft, to be
deployed with WA SES crews
410
wide-spread and heavy rainfall Commander skills,” said
caused significant damage Cameron, reflecting on to work in the response phase.
to housing and infrastructure, his deployment. Due to the affected area
with the NSW SES responding not usually being at risk of
to over 12,000 requests for “It was an absolute pleasure to
work with the NSW SES Port cyclones, the construction
assistance during this time. of buildings was not rated
Requests for assistance Macquarie Unit. They have an
to cyclone standards,
Mid West members were amazing group of volunteers
deployed alongside other who maintained a positive resulting in the almost
VICSES volunteers and ‘can-do’ attitude throughout complete destruction of a
Building staff from across the state, the event, and provided me number of houses.
12%
damage including myself (Gavin Kelly) with fantastic support as we The crew worked 12-hour
and Ballarat Unit Deputy worked together to resupply days to support the recovery
52% 18 % Support
other Controller Cameron Maher. their community with food efforts, retiring in the evenings
agencies and medication.” to their accommodation of
Tree down While I assisted the Northern
Zone Incident Control Centre The following month in April, army stretchers at the local
215 52% 8%
Rescue basketball centre.
mage: 49 (ICC) at Metford as a night shift VICSES were once again
8% Planning Officer, Cameron asked to assist interstate, with Overall, Ballarat Unit
2%
her agencies:
was deployed as a Divisional deployments to WA to provide showcased an incredible
Commander in the Port support for the aftermath effort across both
% Other Flood
8%
Macquarie area. of Cyclone Seroja. WA SES deployments. Thank you for
% and the state’s emergency your hard work! n
“It’s always fulfilling to know services sector were
14 you’re able to make a realClimbing to new heights Centre and the Country Fire
Authority (CFA).
with Mid West Technical “We are lucky to have 12 high
Rescue Team! angle accredited responders
across VICSES and CFA in
By Clare Mintern, Flood Project Support, Mid West Region the Natimuk and Horsham
area. However, if we have less
With almost 50 years’ experience rock than six members available
climbing around the world, Horsham Unit for a rescue, we heavily rely
on surrounding units that
Hepburn search
Officer and Technical Rescue Instructor Kieran have high angle accredited at Daylesford
Loughran plays a significant role as part of the responders from Stawell,
Ararat, Hamilton, Ballarat and By Gavin Kelly, Regional Officer
Mid West Technical Rescue Team, responding Warrnambool,” said Kieran. Emergency Management,
to many dangerous rescues at daring heights. Mid West Region
L
“We regularly undertake
K
multi-agency high angle ate afternoon on Monday 12 April,
ieran’s passion rescues, either located at the training with our local high a middle-aged male went missing
for rock climbing Grampians or Mount Arapiles. angle operators to maintain from where he was staying in
first began when our skills and continue to build Daylesford. The following morning, Victoria
he was 17, and has since Locations like Mount Arapiles Police requested the assistance of VICSES
are renowned for having relationships with CFA.”
travelled across the globe to Hepburn Unit to assist in an initial search for
locations including Europe, climbs that cater to a very Kieran is constantly trying to the missing person. There was no success
America and New Zealand broad range of skills levels. recruit new members with on the Tuesday, and the search continued
to pursue his passion. One But when climbers push high angle accreditation. until the Friday, when resources were
of the reasons Kieran and his themselves beyond their More members would go a significantly increased.
family first decided to move to capability, they can sometimes long way towards taking the
Natimuk in Mid West Region find themselves in trouble. pressure off their small group The search was led by Hepburn Unit
was to be closer to Mount of high angle operators, and Deputy Controller Emily Pullen, as the
Last February, Kieran was VICSES Commander and Liaison Officer
Arapiles and the Grampians to involved with a rescue at would enable them to rely less
continue rock climbing. on surrounding units that are for all of the VICSES members involved.
Mount Arapiles, where a
person fell and was suspended located a long distance from As the Operations Officer for Mid West,
Kieran was first inspired to Mount Arapiles, reducing
get involved with VICSES 60 metres off the ground I was deployed to the scene to assist
with serious injuries. The response time for casualties with command functions alongside Mid
when he saw a series of bad with critical injuries.
accidents in the 80’s and rescue also involved assisting West Regional Duty Officer Marisha
90’s, which resulted in several three other climbers off the Looking ahead, Kieran is also Patton. Volunteers were deployed from
fatalities. As a member of the mountain, which Kieran and hopeful that one day a joint across three regions to support the
Horsham Unit since 2008, the attending crew were able VICSES and CFA building event, including:
Kieran has undertaken more to successfully achieve. can be built at Natimuk to • Mid West Region: Hepburn, Ballarat,
than 50 rescues. While also Outside of VICSES, Kieran’s accommodate more space Bacchus Marsh and Regional
responding to road crash steep angle rescue skills are and better facilities, enabling Support Units.
rescues, more than 75% of renowned across Victoria continued support in high-
• South West Region: Bannockburn,
the rescue jobs that Kieran within the Victoria Police angle rescue into the future for
Torquay, and South Barwon Units.
is involved in are high angle Rescue Coordination the local community. n
• North West Region: Gisborne,
Woodend, Bendigo, Maryborough,
and Regional Support Units.
Members searched a wide area of the
township via doorknocks, as well as
handing out of flyers in the main streets
of Daylesford. Members also searched
adjacent bushland, as well as deploying the
Hepburn Unit inflatable rescue boat onto
the local lake.
Unfortunately, despite all best efforts
from everyone involved, the missing
person was not found. Although an
unfortunate outcome, Victoria Police
was most generous in their praise for all
of our volunteers' efforts throughout the
three-day search. Thank you to all of our
involved members. n 15NORTH UNITS WITHOUT BORDERS:
EAST Working as one
with NSW SES
1 January – 31 March By Justin Greatorex, NSW SES Tocumwal Commander,
and Wendy Tucknott, Cobram Unit Controller, North East Region
I
n February, VICSES As a border community • John Stave, outgoing
t Cobram Unit and New with NSW, the towns are Cobram Unit Controller,
s: 702 South Wales (NSW) separated by the Murray for outstanding leadership,
0 September SES Tocumwal Unit came River on what the locals dedication, and
together for a special dinner call the ‘Toc Bends’ on the commitment to his role.
or assistance: 327
696
and presentation night, Goulburn Valley Highway – an
n: 209 64% hosted to thank members and approximate 4km of winding • Carrie Hawke, Treasurer
and Finance Officer,
damage: 4 1% their families for their huge bends and heavy bushland.
for dedication and
effort during an exceedingly During flooding the towns
ther agencies: 52 difficult year. can become cut off, as flood commitment to her role.
Volunteers Located just across the
water rises over the bends of
• The Cobram Unit, for
% border, what makes these
the main road.
outstanding volunteer
862
9 15% two units unique is that Due to COVID-19 and border service by all members to
% that the volunteers both restrictions, previously there the community during an
train and respond under had not been a chance for exceedingly difficult year.
VICSES and NSW SES. the unit members to come
together to acknowledge the It was great to finally be
Requests for assistance A Memorandum of
Understanding between
hard work of their volunteers. able to celebrate together,
On the presentation night, and both units look forward
Victoria and NSW allows us awards were presented to to continuing to work as
to work 40km across borders several members, including: one to support their local
10% Building during normal business and communities. n
damage operations. Both Cobram
61 % 11% Support Unit and Tocumwal Unit
other operate from Tocumwal in
agencies
Tree down NSW, as Cobram Unit does
11% Rescue not have a local headquarters
5 % in Victoria. However, there is
2% some VICSES equipment in
storage sheds in Cobram for
rapid response to road crash
Flood
rescue and priority responses,
Other
located 18km from NSW
SES Tocumwal Unit.
16Supporting
the aftermath
of Cyclone
Seroja
By Lisa Wise, Deputy Controller Wodonga Unit,
North East Region
Wodonga Unit Controller Cameron
O'Brien and I first flew out from Albury
in a small four-seater plane, landing in
Essendon and then onto Tullamarine,
where we boarded a commercial
flight to Perth.
F
rom the moment we every day. Base Camp Manager
met up with our fellow Lynton Jackson slept on site each
Task Force members night and was available to us at
at Tullamarine, you could feel any time, constantly checking on
the energy and buzz of our our welfare. We even had a barista
orange family keen to get on on-site from 5:50am – I never
with supporting those affected wanted to leave!
by Cyclone Seroja in Western
Australia (WA). Northampton – what an incredibly
resilient community. Our team
We were met in Perth by some spent time undertaking rapid Have boots, will fly!
friendly WA SES members who impact assessments, so we got
By Liz Frazer, Community Resilience Coordinator,
took us to our motel for the to speak with the community
North East Region
O
evening, and transported us about the cyclone and how it
very early the next morning to had affected them. Each home ver the past • Deployments to Western
the Pearce RAAF Base, where that we visited had some sort of months our Australia to support the
we hopped on board a C130 damage, but the residents were members have impacts of Cyclone Seroja.
Hercules aircraft. Seat belts so positive about the clean-up and taken to the skies, being • A light-plane leap-
were essential to stop you from repairs, continuously supporting passengers across multiple frog from Lilydale, to
sliding around! each other. They had a community aircraft for important training Wangaratta, and then on
centre with donations piled up, opportunities, requests for
Landing in Geraldton, we spent to Bombala in NSW.
and a number of fellas making assistance and interstate
most of the day waiting for the deliveries to those people in • Police aircraft transport to
deployments, including:
arrival of our equipment on a need. All of the community Bendoc for a search and
Globemaster aircraft. Wow, was members I spoke with were • Storm impact assessments rescue in April.
that a huge plane - our trucks amazed that we had come from in February via helicopter.
looked like matchbox cars in These are just some of the
Victoria to help out. • Deployments to New
comparison! Five of our members great opportunities and
South Wales (NSW)
were selected to drive the VICSES I had a very rewarding time on experiences that our North
to undertake Incident
vehicles off the aircraft, and they my deployment, knowing that East members have a recently
Management Team
couldn’t wipe the smiles off their I made such a difference to the been involved in, with many
roles to support
faces for days. community. I feel very lucky to more to come! n
severe flooding.
be part of such a great group of
Base camp was basic to begin Victorians, and the Australia-wide
with, but the facilities improved emergency services sector. n
17NORTH
WEST Photo: Bendigo Advertiser
A Very Good Friday
By Karen Dunstan, Community Resilience Coordinator, North West Region
1 January
Jan – 31 May
– 31 March
2018
This year’s Neighbour Day celebrations were extra
special for the Heathcote Unit, with a mother
dropping by the unit's open afternoon event to thank
them for saving her son’s life.
672
608 S
haryn Walker’s involved after the rescue. It’s not every day that you
son, Jake, was in a This rescue in particular had have happy endings from
serious car accident stayed in the minds of those serious incidents like road
last year, and she wanted to unit members who had crash rescues, and Heathcote
let them know that he was responded, with volunteer Unit will be forever grateful
Volunteers finally being discharged from Sandra Koole describing to know the positive
hospital following a seven- having shivers up and down outcome of one of their more
1,476
551
month stay. Members were her spine when Jake’s mum memorable rescues. n
able to easily recall the rescue, Sharyn was thanking them.
as it had been a long and
complex event.
Hearing this news, the unit
Request for
Requests forassistance
assistance hatched a plan to make
Jake’s welcome home even
more special by organising a
9% Building Guard of Honour for him. On
damage
Good Friday, the welcoming
11% Support committee included Jake’s
52 %
Tree down
other
agencies family, friends, Heathcote
Unit members, and plenty of
North West Regional
orange balloons!
Headquarters
16% Rescue
Although on average our
2% 10
%
VICSES volunteers respond Unit profile
to around 1,300 road crash
rescues across the state By Andrew Stockwell, North West Regional
Other Flood every year, it’s rare to hear Headquarters Unit Controller, and Karen
about what happens to those Dunstan, Community Resilience Coordinator,
North West Region
18Resilient
Rochester Project
video series
By Karen Dunstan, Community Resilience Coordinator,
North West Region
VICSES North West Region and Rochester
Unit have supported the development of
a series of videos, commissioned by the
North Central Catchment Management
Authority (CMA) and Campaspe Shire
Council for the Resilient Rochester Project.
T
he video series was Due to COVID-19, planned community
designed to accompany engagement activities for the project
existing materials that were cancelled. However, the video
were delivered to Rochester residents series was able to assist in telling the
and businesses to help them better story of the project and generate
understand their flood risk. Some interest in locals to find out more about
local faces appear in the series, which the resources they received.
premiered on the Campaspe Shire
Council Facebook page. The project celebrates the community
of Rochester and the benefits of living
The series has something for everyone, somewhere so beautiful, while also
with short clips that highlight key ideas acknowledging the risk of flood. It
about planning for emergencies at highlights that being aware of the
a personal and business level, flood risk and knowing what to do can
history, what locals love about living greatly reduce the consequences – to
in 'Rochy', along with some longer individuals, families and businesses. n
videos that outline the project.
W
ith the easing Community Engagement • Bendigo Unit at Anzac Day transfers for volunteers who were
of restrictions, Facilitators," said Andrew. services. deployed to Western Australia.
the North West • Gisborne Unit at Open Gardens Members have also supported
"The North West Regional
Regional Headquarters Unit has in Mount Macedon. regional training, including
Headquarters Unit will be reaching
been relishing the opportunity to communication support at a
out to other regional units
once again get out and about. New And that’s just April! Rescue Boat Crewperson course in
throughout the year to organise
Unit Controller Andrew Stockwell Swan Hill, and trainers for First Aid.
joint training, and to develop new Members have been sifting and
says that the unit members are
ways to help better support them." sorting through the region’s
excited to help support the region On behalf of the
and local units. Recent activity includes support to: recruitment and community region, we’d
education trailers to bring MANY like to thank
"We have members who • Hepburn Shire Unit to assist them up to speed for use at THANKS the unit for their
possess a broad range of skills, with an urban search for a community events. ongoing valuable
from specialising in utilising missing person.
The unit has also been instrumental contributions! n
the Field Operations Vehicle • Marong Unit at the joint VICSES
and Incident Management Driver Reviver and TAC Pause in supporting the region with
tools, to OIMS operators and Stops over the Labour Day and logistics relating to deployments,
Easter long weekends. including door-to-door airport
19Women
in Rescue
SOUTH By Melanie Gill, Community
Resilience Coordinator,
South West Region
WEST On Saturday 17 April, the Torquay Unit
hosted their own Women in Rescue event,
one of several across the state.
V
1 January - 31 March olunteers from nine presentation on command said Deputy Chief Officer
units stretching and control in the context of Alistair Drayton.
from Warrnambool VICSES rescue.
to Pakenham convened Comments from attendees
at the Torquay Unit Local After this, it was time to get included that it was great to
Headquarters to network, on the tools! Stations were network and share techniques
build on rescue skills, and set up to reflect the wide between units, as well as
work together as a team. range of rescue types that being very beneficial to have
VICSES members are involved experienced women share
645
Emergency Management
Commissioner Andrew in, including winching, their knowledge. All were
Crisp, VICSES Deputy Chief casualty handling and in agreeance that Women in
Officer Alistair Drayton, and road crash rescue. Rescue should certainly be an
Operations Manager Chris annual event in the south west!
The day was a huge success,
Longmore all attended and with many valuable discussions We would like to acknowledge
Volunteers viewed the skills on display. throughout the day and the efforts of all the volunteers
lots of positive feedback who helped plan the event
757
After a brief introduction, the
Commissioner addressed from participants and and ensure it ran smoothly.
the group and praised the special guests alike. On behalf of the South West
efforts of VICSES volunteers, Region, we would also like
“It’s brilliant to see our female to give a huge shout out
highlighting the many skills of VICSES leaders continue to
our members. South Barwon to Torquay Unit Controller
Requests for assistance Unit Deputy Controller
showcase their skills through Rachel Vella, for all her work in
the Women in Rescue event,” organising, coordinating, and
Caroline Taylor then ran a
promoting the event. n
Building
8% damage
Support
38 % 12%
other
agencies
Tree down
18% Rescue
2%
22%
Other Flood
20Cyclone Seroja: South West
member deployments
By Ysabel Cronin-Guss, Community Resilience Coordinator,
South West Region
Our South West Region members are proving that
our emergency services really do ‘work as one’,
contributing to two taskforces as part of the second
deployment to Western Australia (WA) to support the
impacts of Cyclone Seroja.
T
his deployment drove a vehicle off the plane, flying from Perth to Geraldton on community members, despite his
included Heywood which was a true milestone of his a Hercules aircraft, describing it a own house being in shambles.
Unit Deputy Controller service with VICSES. a gob-smacking and a once in a This act of selflessness truly
Adrian Hodgens, dual Heywood lifetime opportunity. moved the team, and was a great
and Portland Unit Controller Adrian was one of the newer demonstration of community spirit.
VICSES members on the team. When asked about the situation in
Charlie Debono, Warrnambool
Being an ex-veteran himself, he WA, Bruce commented that the Adrian’s advice to any VICSES
Unit Controller Giorgio Palmeri,
was proud to see VICSES working community of Northampton were member thinking about
and Hamilton Unit member Bruce
in partnership with the Australian resilient and tough – a testament to putting their hand up for a
Farquharson. The team was
Defence Force. He also enjoyed those who were so badly affected deployment is simple:
tasked mainly with completing
the multi-agency approach and by this natural disaster.
temporary roof repairs and clearing “If you’re available and can make it
trees and debris to assist the working alongside other crews
The team came back with many work, do it. It’s a fantastic learning
community in rebuilding. such as NSW SES. He noted
stories, but there’s one that really opportunity and allows you to
that many were envious of our
demonstrates the resilience of the put the various skills we train
As many would be aware, five VICSES vehicles!
Northampton community from into practise.”
VICSES vehicles also made the
For Charlie, it was his first a local resident. The roof of the
trip by air to provide vital support We’d like to thank all of our
deployment to WA. He noted that resident’s property was severely
to communities on the ground. members that were deployed to
the team from South West Region damaged; however the team were
Vehicles were loaded on the WA, especially for their willingness
“worked well together as a great not able to get in contact with him
C-17A Globemaster aircraft at to drop everything at short notice
crew, and had to quickly adapt to to provide support. Later, the team
Melbourne Airport thanks to the to support our colleagues and
the rules and regulations in WA as discovered that this was because
Australian Defence Force. Giorgio communities on the other side of
they differ to ours slightly”. One the local was using his own earth-
was one of the members who the country #weworkasone. n
of his highlights of the trip was moving equipment to assist other
T
he LHQ was set up as plans, local flood guides and
a Divisional Command local knowledge.
Point utilising Central
Regions’ Mobile Command VICSES recognises the
Vehicle and the South West Field importance of emergency
Operations Vehicle. Members exercises and training
had the opportunity to test the opportunities, and is committed
capabilities of these command to continuing to explore
vehicles and liaise with crews, opportunities to do so. Simulating
attending to mock requests for incidents can be a great way to
assistance in the local areas. ensure readiness and currency of
skills, particularly in the event of
Exercise Arbalest
Snap Send Solve flood larger scale incidents.
observations were also utilised
on the day, with members The exercise was a great success
By Melanie Gill, Community Resilience Coordinator, VHO and beneficial to all in attendance.
taking photographs that were
then accessible at the Division A post exercise learnings and
On Saturday 20 March, 35 members from South Command Point. The exercise observations report was also
West and Central Regions joined forces at the provided a good opportunity completed, ensuring that all
to test flood emergency learnings are carried forward
Wyndham West Local Headquarters (LHQ) for into exercises and operations
‘Exercise Arbalest’ - a flood and storm exercise. in the future. n
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