Victoria State Emergency Service

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Victoria State Emergency Service
Badge of the Victoria SES.svg
Seal
Victoria State Emergency Service corporate logo.jpg
Corporate Logo
Flag of the Victoria SES.svg
Flag
Agency overview
Formed1975
Preceding agency
  • Civil Defence Organisation
Jurisdiction Victoria
Headquarters168 Sturt Street, Southbank, Victoria, Australia
EmployeesPaid and Voluntary

Volunteers 5,000

Staff 200
Agency executives
  • Greg Leach AFSM, Chief Executive Officer
  • Tim Wiebusch, Chief Officer Operations
  • Kate White, Executive Director Community & Corporate Services
  • Shelley Cusson, Director People and Organisational Development
  • Silvia Silverii, Chief Information Officer
Website ses.vic.gov.au

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.

Contents

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

Control Agency

Support agency

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:

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

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.

Ranks

Volunteer Insignia

Section LeaderDeputy ControllerUnit Controller
Unit Officer.png
Deputy Controller.png
Unit Controller VICSES.png

Staff Insignia

Operations OfficerOperations ManagerAssistant Chief OfficerDeputy Chief OfficerChief Officer
Operations Officer.png
Operations Manager.png
Assistant Chief Officer.png
Deputy Chief Officer.png
Chief Officer.png

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

SES medium Rescue 2WD Truck SES medium Rescue 2WD Truck.png
SES medium Rescue 2WD Truck

Medium Rescue (2WD)

ChssisHino 300 Series, 921 Crew Cab
GVM8.5t
Engine5.1L Turbocharged Diesel
Transmission6 Speed Automatic
Seating6 Seats
Drive4x2 rear wheel, 100L fuel tank capacity
SafetyDual 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 SES medium Rescue 4WD Truck.png
SES Medium Rescue 4WD Truck

Medium Rescue (4WD)

ChassisIsuzu NPS 75/155 4WD Crew Cab
GVM7.5t
Engine5.0L Diesel Turbocharged
Transmission5 speed Automated Manual
Seating7 Seats
DriveElectric control part time 4WD with dual range transfer case, limited slip rear differential, 140 Litre fuel tank capacity
SafetyIncl. 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

SES Heavy Rescue SES Heavy Rescue.jpg
SES Heavy Rescue

Heavy Rescue Truck (2WD)

ChassisHino 500, FD 1124 Crew Cab
GVM11t
Engine6.4L Diesel Turbocharged
TransmissionAutomatic
Seating7 Seats
DriveRear wheel, 200L fuel tank capacity
SafetyABS 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)

UnitLocationOther LinksRescue(s)General Rescue(s)Support(s)OtherSpecial Skill SetNotes
BrimbankStadium Dr,

Keilor Park VIC 3042

Google Maps

Facebook
Central East RHQ Unit
Central West RHQ Unit
Chelsea13 Ashley Park Drive,

Chelsea Heights VIC 3196

Google Maps

Website

Facebook

Instagram

122 – Four-Wheel Drives2 – 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

Craigieburn151A Craigieburn Rd, Craigieburn VIC 3064

Google Maps

Facebook
EmeraldOld Gembrook Rd, Emerald VIC 3782

Google Maps

Essendon9 Rutherford St,

Aberfeldie VIC 3039

Google Maps

Facebook Boat Rescue

Land Based Swift Water Rescue

Fawkner1161 Sydney Rd, Hadfield VIC 3046

Google Maps

Facebook 21 - 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
Footscray95 Sunshine Road,

West Footscray VIC 3012

(Entry via Indwe Street gate)

Google Maps

Facebook 222 Rescue Boats 1 Box TrailerBoat RescueFormed on 8 February 1962
Frankston6 McMannis Way,

Seaford VIC 3198

Google Maps

Website

Facebook

303 – Four-Wheel Drives1 – 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 Eira92 Bignell Rd,

Bentleigh East VIC 3165

Google Maps

Facebook 112 – Four-Wheel Drives1 – Lighting TrailerFormerly Oakleigh Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Greater Dandenong42 Mills Rd,

Dandenong VIC 3175

Google Maps

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

Google Maps

Healesville18 Argoon Rd, Healesville VIC 3777

Google Maps

Heidelberg446 Waterdale Rd Heidelberg Heights 3081 Facebook Website 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
ManninghamFormerly 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
Nillumbik58 Susan Street, Eltham, Victoria, 3088 Website

Facebook

1 – RAIR Heavy Rescue

1 – RAIR Rescue Support

11 – Four-Wheel Drive Technical Rescue

1 – Four-Wheel Drive Support

1 x Lighting TrailerRoad 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 PhillipFormerly 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

UnitLocationOther LinksNotes
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 ValleyFormerly Swifts Creek Unit, name changed on 1 November 2018
Warragul
Wonthaggi
Yarram

Grampians Region

UnitLocationOther LinksNotes
Ararat
Bacchus Marsh
Ballarat
Dimboola
DunmunkleFormerly known as Rupanyup Unit, name changed on 30 June 2014
Edenhope
Goroke
DaylesfordFormerly Hepburn Shire Unit, name changed on 12 Sept 2022
Horsham
Kaniva
Grampians Regional Support
Nhill
St Arnaud
Stawell
Warracknabeal

Hume Region

UnitLocationOther LinksNotes
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

UnitLocationOther LinksNotes
Bendigo
Birchip
Castlemaine1 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

UnitLocationOther LinksRescue(s)General Rescue(s)Support(s)OtherSpecial Skill SetNotes
Balmoral
Bannockburn
Bellarine
Camperdown
Cobden
Colac
Corio
Dartmoor
Dunkeld
Geelong
Hamilton58-60 Shakespeare Street Hamilton1 - Heavy Rescue2 - Support 4WDs1 - 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
Winchelsea325 Mousley Rd, Winchelsea VIC 3241 https://www.facebook.com/Winchses/ 1 - Medium Rescue1 - Support 4WD1 - Lighting TrailerRoad Rescue

Volunteers Association

VICSESVA Corporate Logo VICSESVA LOGO.png
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

Other States:

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References

  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".