Wikipedia

Victoria State Emergency Service

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer-based organisation responding to natural disasters and working to ensure the safety of communities around Victoria, Australia. Each State and territory of Australia has its own independent State Emergency Service (SES), and VICSES is only one of these services spread across Australia. At times of great need or catastrophic disaster, it is common that assistance be sought from other states.

Victoria State Emergency Service
Seal
Corporate Logo

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Agency overview
Formed1975
Preceding agency
  • Civil Defence Organisation
JurisdictionVictoria
Headquarters168 Sturt Street, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
EmployeesPaid and Voluntary

Volunteers 5,000

Staff 200
Agency executives
  • Kate White, Acting Chief Executive Officer
  • Tim Wiebusch, Chief Officer Operations
  • Silivia Silverii, (Acting)Executive Director Community & Corporate Services
  • Shelley Cusson, Director People and Organisational Development
  • Silvia Silverii, Chief Information Officer
  • Debbie Mann, Executive Director People, Safety and Wellbeing
Websiteses.vic.gov.au

VICSES is the lead agency when responding to floods, storms, landslides; tsunami, earthquakes, and incidents involving building damage, as well as operating the largest network of road rescue units in Australia and one of the largest in the world.

VICSES also provides assistance to other emergency services such as Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, The Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and to municipal councils in support of their emergency management plans.

There are more than 5,000 volunteers and 220 employees[1] spread across 155 units.[2]

Responsibilities

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Control Agency

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Support agency

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  • Country Fire Authority (CFA)
  • Victoria Police (VICPOL)
  • Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) [Previously known as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB)]
  • Ambulance Victoria (AV)
  • Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA)

Activities

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In addition to its control agency functions, VICSES has a shared responsibility for rescues with the CFA and FRV.

VICSES along with other emergency services in Victoria, provide specialist response functions including:

VICSES is also called upon to assist other agencies with unique tasks, some include:

Regions

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VICSES is broken into 2 regions that cover the state of Victoria. The SES Units are supported by Unit Support Teams (UST) with career personnel.

  • East Region
    • Unit Support Teams in Bayside, Eastern Metro, East Gippsland, Goulburn Broken, North East, Southern Metro, West Gippsland
  • West Region
    • Unit Support Teams in Barwon, Loddon, Mallee, Mid West, North West Metro, South West, Wimmera

Ranks

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Volunteer Insignia

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Section Leader Deputy Controller Unit Controller
 
 
 

Staff Insignia

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Operations Officer Operations Manager Assistant Chief Officer Deputy Chief Officer Chief Officer
 
 
 
 
 

Vehicles, Trailers & Other Assets

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Cars

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Passenger Vehicles

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Cars include a mixture of Ford, Holden, Subaru, Kia and Toyota

Mini-Van

Four Wheel Drives

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Mixture of Nissan Patrol, Navara, Pathfinder, Ford Rangers, Everest & Toyota Hilux

Light Rescue

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Mixture of chassis Ford, Mercedes & Iveco

Medium Rescue

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SES medium Rescue 2WD Truck

Medium Rescue (2WD)

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Chssis Hino 300 Series, 921 Crew Cab
GVM 8.5t
Engine 5.1L Turbocharged Diesel
Transmission 6 Speed Automatic
Seating 6 Seats
Drive 4x2 rear wheel, 100L fuel tank capacity
Safety Dual SRS Airbags, ABS Brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD).

Equipment Body:

  • 5 large and 3 smaller lockers, with 3 x shadow boards for the storage of tools, 5 x sliding shelves and,
  • 4 x slide and tilt shelves (including LED locker lighting).
  • Light mast (up to 7.5m from ground) with 4 x 100W 24V LED lights (output 10,479 Lm per light).
  • External work lights at the mid point of the body, controlled by the Hazard SLIC panel.
  • Martin power supply system capacity of 8 kVA with 8 x 10A GPO’s.
  • Compressed air system delivering 10 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) at 116psi.
  • Bulbar fitted with HID driving lights.
  • No tow bar fitted.

Equipment Capabilities:

  • Up to 1,000kg of tools and equipment
  • Multi purpose truck, i.e. capacity for storm and flood or RCR equipment.

Licence Requirements:

  • Light Rigid Licence
 
SES Medium Rescue 4WD Truck

Medium Rescue (4WD)

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Chassis Isuzu NPS 75/155 4WD Crew Cab
GVM 7.5t
Engine 5.0L Diesel Turbocharged
Transmission 5 speed Automated Manual
Seating 7 Seats
Drive Electric control part time 4WD with dual range transfer case, limited slip rear differential, 140 Litre fuel tank capacity
Safety Incl. Driver and passenger air bags, ABS braking

Equipment Body:

  • 5 large and 3 smaller lockers, with 3 x shadow boards for the storage of tools, 5 x sliding shelves and,
  • 4 x slide and tilt shelves (including LED locker lighting).
  • Light mast (up to 7.5m from ground) with 4 x 24V LED lights.
  • External work lights at the mid point of the body, controlled by the Hazard SLIC panel.
  • Martin power supply system - capacity of 8 kVA with 8 x 10A GPO’s.
  • Compressed air system delivering 10 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) at 116psi.
  • Bulbar fitted with 15,000lb, 24v winch & HID driving lights
  • No tow bar fitted.

Equipment Capabilities:

  • Up to 1,000kg of tools and equipment
  • Multi purpose truck, i.e. capacity for RAIR, Storm and Flood equipment.

Licence Requirements:

  • Light Rigid Licence

Heavy Rescue

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SES Heavy Rescue

Heavy Rescue Truck (2WD)

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Chassis Hino 500, FD 1124 Crew Cab
GVM 11t
Engine 6.4L Diesel Turbocharged
Transmission Automatic
Seating 7 Seats
Drive Rear wheel, 200L fuel tank capacity
Safety ABS Brakes with ASR, electric and heated mirrors and drivers SRS airbag

Equipment Body:

  • 7 large and 1 smaller lockers, with 3 x shadow boards for the storage of tools, 5 x sliding shelves and
  • 8 x fixed shelving, 4 x slide and tilt shelves (including locker lighting).
  • Light mast (up to 7.5m from ground) with 4 x 24v LED lights.
  • External work lights at the mid point of the body, controlled by the Hazard SLIC panel.
  • Martin power supply of 8kVA with 8 x 10A GPO.
  • Compressed air system delivering 15 cubic feet per minute (CFM) at 130psi.
  • Bull bar fitted with HID driving lights
  • No tow bar fitted

Equipment Capabilities:

  • Up to 2,000kg of tools and equipment
  • RAIR purpose truck, i.e. capacity RAIR and storm or flood equipment.

Licence Requirements:

  • Medium Rigid Licence

Boats

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IRB's

Trailers

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Lighting Towers

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Genie AL6-6000

  • 8.40 m extended mast height
  • 2.45 m long (drawbar retracted)
  • Kubota D1403 diesel10.7 kW @1500rpm

AllightSykes URBAN MLLED200K-9AC-K

  • 9-meter mast design
  • LED's 4 x 500 watt
  • 200,000 lumens
  • Kubota D905 Diesel Engine
  • 100km/h Wind Speed Rated

Sand Bag Trailer

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Storm Trailer

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Pump Trailer

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Units

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Central Region ( Including North West Metro and South)

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Unit Location Other Links Rescue(s) General Rescue(s) Support(s) Other Special Skill Set Notes
Brimbank Stadium Dr,

Keilor Park VIC 3042

Google Maps

Facebook
Central East RHQ Unit
Central West RHQ Unit
Chelsea 13 Ashley Park Drive,

Chelsea Heights VIC 3196

Google Maps

Website

Facebook

Instagram

1 2 2 – Four-Wheel Drives 2 – Boats

1 – Lighting Trailer

1 – Pump Trailer

1 – Sand Bag Trailer

1 – General Purpose Trailer

Boat Rescue

Land Based Swift Water Rescue

Air Observer

Chelsea SES Unit's history can be traced back to 1953 making it one of the longest, continuous serving units assisting the community

This unit is Junior Accredited allowing the unit to train children between the ages of 16 – 17 years old

Craigieburn 151A Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064

Google Maps

Facebook
Emerald Old Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782

Google Maps

Essendon 9 Rutherford St,

Aberfeldie VIC 3039

Google Maps

Facebook Boat Rescue

Land Based Swift Water Rescue

Fawkner 1161 Sydney Rd, Hadfield VIC 3046

Google Maps

Facebook 2 1 - General Rescue Support

2 - Suport 4WD

1 - Lighting Trailer

1 - Crime Scene Support Trailer 1 - General Purpose Trailer

Land Based Swift Water Rescue

Air Observer

Formerly Broadmeadows Unit, name changed on 12 September 2022 due to relocation
Footscray 95 Sunshine Road,

West Footscray VIC 3012

(Entry via Indwe Street gate)

Google Maps

Facebook 2 2 2 Rescue Boats 1 Box Trailer Boat Rescue Formed on 8 February 1962
Frankston 6 McMannis Way,

Seaford VIC 3198

Google Maps

Website

Facebook

3 0 3 – Four-Wheel Drives 1 – Mini-bus

2 – Boats

Road Crash Rescue

Boat Rescue

This unit is Junior Accredited allowing the unit to train children between the ages of 16 – 17 years old
Glen Eira 92 Bignell Rd,

Bentleigh East VIC 3165

Google Maps

Facebook 1 1 2 – Four-Wheel Drives 1 – Lighting Trailer Formerly Oakleigh Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Greater Dandenong 42 Mills Rd,

Dandenong VIC 3175

Google Maps

Facebook Formerly Springvale Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Hastings Frankston - Flinders Rd, Hastings VIC 3915

Google Maps

Healesville 18 Argoon Rd, Healesville VIC 3777

Google Maps

Heidelberg 446 Waterdale Rd Heidelberg Heights 3081 FacebookWebsite 1- Medium General Rescue (Isuzu) - currently at Ararat

1- Light Rescue (Iveco)

1- Hilux crew cab

1- Nissan Patrol

1- Storm Trailer

1 - General Purpose trailer

Search and Rescue Bike Squad x six bikes

1 x Traverse rescue Mule

Formerly Northcote Unit, name changed on 12 Sept 2022
Hobsons Bay Facebook Formerly Altona Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Knox Facebook
Lilydale
Malvern Facebook
Manningham Formerly Doncaster Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Maroondah Facebook Formerly Croydon Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Melton Facebook
Monash

Facebook

Formerly Waverley Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Moorabbin Facebook
Narre Warren
Nillumbik 58 Susan Street, Eltham, Victoria, 3088 Website

Facebook

1 – RAIR Heavy Rescue

1 – RAIR Rescue Support

1 1 – Four-Wheel Drive Technical Rescue

1 – Four-Wheel Drive Support

1 x Lighting Trailer Road Crash Rescue

Technical Rescue – Steep Angle Rope Rescue (multi-agency team with CFA)

Air Search Observers

Land Based Swift Water Rescue

Urban Search and Rescue Category 1

Formerly Eltham Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Pakenham
Port Phillip Formerly St Kilda Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Sorrento Facebook
Sunbury
Upper Yarra Facebook
Whitehorse Facebook Formerly Nunawading Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Whittlesea
Wyndham
Wyndham West Facebook Was the 150th VICSES Unit Created and became operation on July 14, 2020, with 6 members[3]

Gippsland Region

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Unit Location Other Links Notes
Gippsland Regional Support
Bairnsdale
Bendoc
Bruthen
Buchan
Cann River
Erica
Foster
Inverloch
Leongatha
Loch Sport
Maffra
Mallacoota
Moe
Morwell
Orbost
Phillip Island
Rosedale
Sale
San Remo
Stratford
Tambo Valley Formerly Swifts Creek Unit, name changed on 1 November 2018
Warragul
Wonthaggi
Yarram

Grampians Region

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Unit Location Other Links Notes
Ararat
Bacchus Marsh
Ballarat
Dimboola
Dunmunkle Formerly known as Rupanyup Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Edenhope
Goroke
Daylesford Formerly Hepburn Shire Unit, name changed on 12 Sept 2022
Horsham
Kaniva
Grampians Regional Support
Nhill
St Arnaud
Stawell
Warracknabeal

Hume Region

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Unit Location Other Links Notes
Alexandra
Beechworth
Benalla
Bright
Chiltern
Cobram
Corryong
Euroa
Falls Creek
Kilmore
Kinglake
Mansfield
Marysville
Mitta Mitta
Murchison
Myrtleford
Numurkah
Hume Regional Headquarters Unit
Rutherglen
Seymour
Shepparton Search & Rescue Squad (Private)
Tallangatta
Tatura
Wangaratta, mother unit to Yarrawonga
Wodonga
Yackandandah
Yarrawonga - Bird Watching Unit

Loddon Mallee Region

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Unit Location Other Links Notes
Bendigo
Birchip
Castlemaine 1 Scotts AVE,

Castlemaine VIC 3450

Google maps

Facebook
Dunolly
Echuca
Echuca-Moama Search & Rescue (Private)
Gisborne
Heathcote
Huntly
Kerang
Kyabram
Marong
Maryborough
Mildura
Murrayville
North West Regional Support
Ouyen
Robinvale
Rochester
Rushworth
Swan Hill
Wedderburn
Woodend
Woomelang
Wycheproof

Barwon South West Region

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Unit Location Other Links Rescue(s) General Rescue(s) Support(s) Other Special Skill Set Notes
Balmoral
Bannockburn
Bellarine
Camperdown
Cobden
Colac
Corio
Dartmoor
Dunkeld
Geelong
Hamilton 58-60 Shakespeare Street Hamilton 1 - Heavy Rescue 2 - Support 4WDs 1 - Lighting Trailer

1 - Rescue Boat 1 - Storm Trailer 1 - Litter Mule

Road Rescue

Rescue Boat Swift Water Rescue - Land Based Urban Search & Rescue - Cat 1 Incident Air Monitoring Divisional Command Point

Founded on December 9, 1969, as the

"Hamilton & District Civil Defence & Rescue Squad"

Heywood
Lismore
Lorne
Mortlake
Otway
Port Campbell
Port Fairy
Portland
Barwon South West Regional Support
South Barwon
Terang
Torquay
Warrnambool
Winchelsea 325 Mousley Rd, Winchelsea VIC 3241 https://www.facebook.com/Winchses/ 1 - Medium Rescue 1 - Support 4WD 1 - Lighting Trailer Road Rescue

Volunteers Association

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VICSESVA Corporate Logo

Volunteers and Units are represented by the Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (VICSESVA) which was formed in 1983.

The Association's role is to advocate for VICSES volunteers by raising issues that impact on skills, training, funding, equipment, ethics & safety. VICSESVA is a non-profit association run and managed by VICSES Volunteers.

See also

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Other States:

References

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  1. ^ "SES – Who We Are". www.ses.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Victoria State Emergency Service". Victoria SES.
  3. ^ "Wyndham West unit welcomed into VICSES family".
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