Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) provides emergency assistance to thousands of Victorians every year. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and come from all walks’ of life, ages and backgrounds.
There’s a position for everyone at VICSES
Each of our volunteers receives accredited, recognised training as part of their role, ranging from first aid, general rescue, chainsaw operations, community education, media training and much more.
You will find our volunteers assisting their local communities throughout Victoria in rural, regional and metropolitan locations; on the front lines, in emergency planning and strategy centres, and providing education to help community members understand what to do when an emergency strikes.
We have teachers working alongside electricians, retirees and university students. The diversity of our members is the key to our success.
From floods, storms, search and rescue, road crash rescue and much more – there’s a position for everyone at VICSES, and anyone can make a valuable contribution.
Respoding to Storms
A Crew Member is the first role our volunteers undertake following their induction. Participating in emergency response operations resulting from storms and other severe weather events is done through a combination of training and on the job experience, working in a team of people.
Key tasks:
- Contribute before, during and after an emergency.
- Support safe work practices and safety at an emergency.
- Training in the use of Chainsaws
- Training in the use of a Safe Work At Heights system (on-ground or at-heights)
- Use of manual and power tools to effect temporary repairs to buildings.
Road Rescue Operator
Road Crash Rescue (RCR) is a critical service delivered on a daily basis by emergency response agencies across the State. It starts at the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority (ESTA), where Triple Zero (000) emergency calls for assistance are received.
The response of highly trained crews with a range of skills, provides extrication and emergency life support services to the trapped or injured, is in line with predetermined coverage areas.
VICSES has the largest road rescue network in Australia, with 103 of the 133 road rescue service providers in Victoria. In this role you will gain knowledge and skills to apply rescue techniques and work in a team while using the rescue equipment required in VICSES.
Key tasks:
- Rescue of people from vehicles involved in road accidents.
- Helping to establish safety on-scene.
- Vehicle stabilisation.
Rescue Boat – Deckhand
This role relates to VICSES members involved in Rescue Boat operations, including in times of flooding. VICSES is the control agency for flood operations and Rescue Boats are used to support water-based operations.
A qualified Deckhand works in a crew of at least two people and has the required basic knowledge and skills for crewing and helming a rescue boat. This is an important role in units located on the coast or in areas where there are lakes and inland waterways or locations prone to flooding.
Deckhands possess the required basic knowledge and skills for crewing and helming a Rescue Boat under the direction of a Coxswain.
Key tasks:
- Assisting rescue boat launch and retrieval.
- Performing basic helming activities under the direction of the Coxswain.
- Maintaining lookout during search activities.
- Participating in emergency drills.
- Assisting with the loading/porting of cargo.
Rescue Boat Crewperson
This role relates to VICSES members involved in Rescue Boat operations, including in times of flooding. VICSES is the control agency for flood operations and Rescue Boats are used to support water-based operations.
Rescue Boat Crewpersons assist in marine and flood search and rescue operations and possess the required knowledge and skills for crewing and helming a rescue boat under the direction of a Coxswain.
The Rescue Boat Crewperson works within a crew of at least two people (one must be an endorsed Coxswain), under the direction of a Coxswain.
VICSES is the control agency for flood operations, and Rescue Boats are used to support water-based operations.
A Rescue Boat Crewperson is responsible for:
- Assisting in Rescue Boat operations, as directed;
- Obtaining operational information and confirming commands;
- Participating in the identification of hazards and implementation of risk controls;
- Operating a Rescue Boat under the direction of a Coxswain;
- Participating in emergency drills;
- Participating in Rescue Boat marine search and recovery; and
- Recovering and restoring a rescue vessel.
Rescue Boat Coxswain
The Rescue Boat Coxswain will have advanced knowledge and skills to confidently lead a boat and crew in marine flood relief, search, and rescue operations.
In conjunction with a Rescue Boat crew, a Rescue Boat Coxswains is responsible for:
- Supervising, leading, and taking charge of Rescue Boat operations;
- Establishing and maintaining a safe work environment for the Rescue Boat crew;
- Supervising equipment and pre-launch checks;
- Developing and delivering crew briefings and debriefings;
- Ensuring compliance with operational doctrine, and
- Liaising with other agencies on scene.
Search and Rescue
VICSES support Victoria Police (VICPOL) in the search for missing persons. Search events can ocur anywhere from urban areas to remote and harsh environments.
A volunteer Crew Member responds as part of a small team of two or more people and needs to be able to apply correct procedures to ensure a safe approach in all situations. They also need to use a range of equipment and rescue techniques, and work under the direction of a Crew Leader.
Key tasks
- Working as part of a team with other VICSES units and agencies.
- Apply search techniques to maximise the effectiveness of a search.
- Knowledge of reading maps and use in radio communication and navigation skills.
- First aid intervention and possible manual handling of injured persons.
Swift Water Rescue
VICSES support Victoria Police (VICPOL) with rescue of persons stuck in flood waters. Swift water is water moving faster than walking pace and is extremely dangerous.
Members are trained in Swift Water Resuce techniques including defensive swimming for the purpose of self recovery as well as water hydrology
Key tasks
- Working as part of a rescue team from VICSES or multi-agency
- Apply techniques to safely rescue persons from flood waters
- Knowledge of water hydrology and defensive swimming
- First aid intervention and possible manual handling of injured persons.
Managing Incidents
toria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers respond to many different types of emergency situations. These are called ‘incidents’, and there is a national framework for incident management that emergency service organisations follow.
VICSES volunteers who have successfully gained qualifications in general search and rescue and other more specialist skills are encouraged to undertake further training to develop their capability in the leadership and management of emergency incidents.
Some key roles in Incident Management include:
- Being a member of an Incident Management Team.
- Attending and working at an Incident Control Point.
- Logistics.
- Mapping.
- Issuing public information and warnings.
- Media.
- Staging Area Management.
- Division Sector Command.
Key tasks:
- Take control to effectively manage an emergency incident, with a focus on the safety of all involved.
- Reducing the impacts and consequences of emergencies.
Community Engagement
number of roles are available for volunteer members to help create awareness of emergencies and emergency preparedness in their local communities. Once you have completed the VICSES induction, you might be interested in undertaking the following roles:
- Community Education Facilitator
- Media Liaison Officer
- Social Media Officer
Unit Management
There are a number of roles for volunteers who want to help us run our units as efficiently and effectively as possible. These roles fall into the following categories:
- Membership management.
- Assets and Facilities management.
- Finance and administration.
Membership Management
In many ways our units operate like small businesses. You may have a background in business and HR and be willing to share and mentor others.
Volunteers in membership management undertake a variety of activities that focus on effective unit management, including; accurate record keeping, retention programs, recognition initiatives, member recruitment campaigns, member welfare and safety, training, and leadership succession planning.
Many new members have strong Human Resource (HR) management skills or good people skills, and are willing to participate and lead activities, where they can.
Key tasks:
- Member retention activities.
- Supporting unit training.
- Unit member recruitment drives.
Assets and Facilities Management
For our units to be ready to respond to an emergency at any time of the day or night, they need the right equipment, maintained to a high standard.
Volunteers in assets and facilities management undertake a variety of tasks focussed on equipment, clothing, vehicles and facilities. You may have a background in assets management and be willing to share this and mentor others on these areas.
Key tasks:
- Maintain equipment and personal protection clothing and equipment (PPC&E) to high standards.
- Ensure all equipment is properly stored and accounted for.
- Provide recommendations on new equipment and PPC&E.
- Vehicle maintenance.
- Unit maintenance and functionality.
Finance and Administration
Volunteers in the areas of finance and administration assist in a broad range of areas for our units. You may have a background in accounting and administration and be willing to share and mentor others in the preparation of quarterly business activity statements (BAS), maintenance of accurate accounts and developing business plans for our units.
Additionally, many of our units apply for grants throughout the year. Identifying and/or applying for a grants is how many units fund vehicle and equipment replacement.
Key tasks:
- Support or lead all mandatory reporting requirements.
- Information management and accurate recording keeping.
- Safeguarding member information.
- Knowledge of all policies and procedures.