The Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer-based civil defence organisation that responds to natural and man-made disasters, and works to ensure the safety of local communities in Victoria, Australia. Each state and territory has its own independent State Emergency Service (SES) that serves as an auxiliary force to support the work of other agencies, such as police and fire brigades. While VICSES is largely responsible for disaster response in Victoria, during large-scale crises it is not uncommon that assistance be sought from other states.
VICSES is the lead agency for responding to floods, storms, landslides, tsunamis, earthquakes, and incidents involving building damage. It also operates the largest network of road rescue units in Australia, and to that end, is one of the largest in the world.
VICSES also provides assistance to other emergency agencies 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 spread across 155 units.
Responsibilities
Control Agency
Storm Flood Tsunami Earthquake Landslide incidents involving building damage rescue incidents involving rail, aircraft and industrial (as per State Road Crash Rescue Arrangements 2023)
Support agency
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 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:
Road Rescue High Angle Rescue Industrial Rescue Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Search and Rescue (SAR) Alpine Search and Rescue (ASAR) Land Based Swift Water Rescue (LBSWR) Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR) General Land Rescue
VICSES is also called upon to assist other agencies with unique tasks, some include:
Victoria Police Crime scene preservation Evidence search General assistance (lighting, temporary power, ladders, etc.). Ambulance Victoria Assist with patient carry-outs Assist paramedics in difficult terrain (4WD/ATV/BOAT) Country Fire Authority Staging area management Incident Management Environmental Protection Authority Deployment of air quality monitoring equipment
Regions 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
Volunteer Insignia Section LeaderDeputy ControllerUnit Controller
Staff Insignia Operations TrainerOperations AssistantOperations OfficerOperations ManagerAssistant Chief OfficerDeputy Chief OfficerChief Officer
Vehicles, Trailers & Other Assets
Cars
Passenger Vehicles Cars include a mixture of Ford, Holden, Subaru, Kia and Toyota
Mini-Van
Four Wheel Drives Mixture of Nissan Patrol, Navara, Pathfinder, Ford Rangers, Everest & Toyota Hilux
Light Rescue Mixture of chassis Ford, Mercedes & Iveco
Medium Rescue
Medium Rescue (2WD) ChssisHino 300 Series, 921 Crew CabGVM8.5tEngine5.1L Turbocharged DieselTransmission6 Speed AutomaticSeating6 SeatsDrive4x2 rear wheel, 100L fuel tank capacitySafetyDual 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
Medium Rescue (4WD) ChassisIsuzu NPS 75/155 4WD Crew CabGVM7.5tEngine5.0L Diesel TurbochargedTransmission5 speed Automated ManualSeating7 SeatsDriveElectric control part time 4WD with dual range transfer case, limited slip rear differential, 140 Litre fuel tank capacitySafetyIncl. 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
Heavy Rescue Truck (2WD) ChassisHino 500, FD 1124 Crew CabGVM11tEngine6.4L Diesel TurbochargedTransmissionAutomaticSeating7 SeatsDriveRear wheel, 200L fuel tank capacitySafetyABS 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 IRB's
Trailers
Lighting Towers
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
Storm Trailer
Pump Trailer
Units
Central Region (Including North West Metro and South) Unit Location Other Links Rescue(s) General Rescue(s) Support(s) Other Special Skill Set NotesBrimbankStadium Dr, Keilor Park VIC 3042
Google MapsFacebookCentral East RHQ UnitCentral West RHQ UnitChelsea13 Ashley Park Drive, Chelsea Heights VIC 3196 Google MapsWebsiteFacebookInstagram122 – Four-Wheel Drives2 – Boats1 – Lighting Trailer1 – Pump Trailer1 – Sand Bag Trailer1 – General Purpose TrailerBoat RescueLand Based Swift Water RescueAir 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 oldCraigieburn151A Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064 Google MapsFacebookEmeraldOld Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782 Google MapsEssendon9 Rutherford St, Aberfeldie VIC 3039
Google MapsFacebookBoat RescueLand Based Swift Water RescueFawkner1161 Sydney Rd, Hadfield VIC 3046 Google MapsFacebook21 – General Rescue Support2 – Support 4WD1 – Lighting Trailer1 – Crime Scene Support Trailer1 – General Purpose TrailerLand Based Swift Water RescueAir Observer Formerly Broadmeadows Unit, name changed on 12 September 2022 due to relocationFootscray95 Sunshine Road, West Footscray VIC 3012
(Entry via Indwe Street gate)
Google MapsFacebook222 Rescue Boats1 Box Trailer Boat RescueFormed on 8 February 1962Frankston6 McMannis Way, Seaford VIC 3198
Google MapsWebsiteFacebook303 – Four-Wheel Drives1 – Mini-bus2 – BoatsRoad Crash RescueBoat RescueThis unit is Junior Accredited allowing the unit to train children between the ages of 16–17 years oldGlen Eira92 Bignell Rd, Bentleigh East VIC 3165
Google MapsFacebook112 – Four-Wheel Drives1 – Lighting TrailerFormerly Oakleigh Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014Greater Dandenong42 Mills Rd, Dandenong VIC 3175
Google MapsFacebookFormerly Springvale Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014HastingsFrankston–Flinders Rd, Hastings VIC 3915 Google MapsHealesville18 Argoon Rd, Healesville VIC 3777 Google MapsHeidelberg446 Waterdale Rd, Heidelberg Heights VIC 3081FacebookWebsite1 – Medium General Rescue (Isuzu) – currently at Ararat1 – Light Rescue (Iveco)1 – Hilux crew cab1 – Nissan Patrol1 – Storm Trailer1 – General Purpose trailerSearch and Rescue Bike Squad x six bikes1 x Traverse rescue MuleFormerly Northcote Unit, name changed on 12 September 2022Hobsons BayFacebookFormerly Altona Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014KnoxFacebookLilydaleMalvernFacebookManninghamFormerly Doncaster Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014MaroondahFacebookFormerly Croydon Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014MeltonFacebookMonashFacebookFormerly Waverley Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014MoorabbinFacebookNarre WarrenNillumbik58 Susan Street, Eltham VIC 3088WebsiteFacebook1 – RAIR Heavy Rescue1 – RAIR Rescue Support11 – Four-Wheel Drive Technical Rescue1 – Four-Wheel Drive Support1 x Lighting TrailerRoad Crash RescueTechnical Rescue – Steep Angle Rope Rescue (multi-agency team with CFA)Air Search ObserversLand Based Swift Water RescueUrban Search and Rescue Category 1Formerly Eltham Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014PakenhamPort PhillipFormerly St Kilda Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014SorrentoFacebookSunburyUpper YarraFacebookWhitehorseFacebookFormerly Nunawading Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014WhittleseaWyndhamWyndham WestFacebookWas the 150th VICSES Unit Created and became operation on 14 July 2020, with 6 members
Gippsland Region Unit Location Other Links NotesGippsland Regional SupportBairnsdaleBendocBruthenBuchanCann RiverEricaFosterInverlochLeongathaLoch SportMaffraMallacootaMoeMorwellOrbostPhillip IslandRosedaleSaleSan RemoStratfordTambo ValleyFormerly Swifts Creek Unit, name changed on 1 November 2018WarragulWonthaggiYarram
Grampians Region Unit Location Other Links NotesAraratBacchus MarshBallaratDimboolaDunmunkleFormerly known as Rupanyup Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014EdenhopeGorokeDaylesfordFormerly Hepburn Shire Unit, name changed on 12 September 2022HorshamKanivaGrampians Regional SupportNhillSt ArnaudStawellWarracknabeal
Hume Region Unit Location Other Links NotesAlexandraBeechworthBenallaBrightChilternCobramCorryongEuroaFalls CreekKilmoreKinglakeMansfieldMarysvilleMitta MittaMurchisonMyrtlefordNumurkahHume Regional Headquarters UnitRutherglenSeymourShepparton Search & Rescue Squad (Private)TallangattaTatura52 Martin St, Tatura VIC 3616https://www.facebook.com/taturasesWangarattaWodongaYackandandahYarrawonga
Loddon Mallee Region