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From the BOARD
“Natural disasters are part our lives and flood risk is growing as the climate changes. How well we prepare, and how well we respond, is the test of our humanity”.
The final report into the 2022 floods has now been released. The Inquiry acknowledged the work of the SES volunteers and made many recommendations, including for increased funding, resourcing and training. You can read more about the report in the article in this edition, ‘2022 Flood Inquiry Final Report’.
VicSESVA was thanked by the Committee for the substantial contribution it made to the Inquiry. Finding #55 specifically refers to VicSESVA and the need for sustained support from VICSES:
“A productive relationship between the Victoria State Emergency Service and the Victoria SES Volunteers Association, characterised by effective communication and robust mechanisms for addressing concerns, is crucial for maintaining a strong volunteer base, ensuring operational effectiveness, and enhancing volunteer satisfaction and retention”.
While there are many ways to represent volunteers, including the Volunteer Reference Group, social media, communications, membership of task
forces, ad hoc advisory committees, etc., there is no doubt that an Association such as VicSESVA is essential, now and into the future, as part of the spectrum of entities for continuing to represent the concerns of volunteers. VicSESVA is independent of VICSES. It is formed by volunteers themselves and is structured so voices from across the State can be heard. It is not beholden to any particular political view, nor is it there to blindly follow any bureaucratic line. On the contrary, it has never avoided asking the hard questions and raising matters that may not always accord with the perceptions or experience of paid staff in VHO. But as the Flood Inquiry Committee recommends, the relationship should have “robust mechanisms for addressing concerns”. VicSESVA calls upon VICSES to honour that recommendation and resume consultation with VicSESVA. For independent, arms length analysis and critique are markers of inclusive and contemporary approaches, where freedom of expression, acceptance of difference, and belief in those who raise significant
VICSESVA INFORMATION AND OFFICER CONTACT DETAILS
For more information on VicSESVA, go to vicsesva.org.au
For more information on NSESVA, go to nsesva.org.au
To contact VicSESVA, submit a request to one of the following email addresses and your query will be referred to the appropriate person. Note that all VicSESVA officers are volunteers and the emails are not monitored on a full-time basis, your patience is appreciated.
President president@vicsesva.org.au
Chair chair@vicsesva.org.au
Vice Chair vicechair@vicsesva.org.au
Secretary secretary@vicsesva.org.au
Treasurer treasurer@vicsesva.org.au
issues of safety and wellbeing help to build a responsive, dynamic and fair institution. In this edition, read about opportunities offered by VicSESVA, like the sponsorship for 6 volunteers to attend the Emergency Management Conference. See how you can get involved by becoming a Unit delegate and forming a regional council – there are many new members who have joined VICSES in recent years and are not aware of the work of VicSESVA. And reflect on the history of many units, like Manningham, which has given more than 60 years’ service. Sue Whitten has taken on the task of writing the Unit’s history –a mammoth effort. You can find out more about your unit by reading back editions of Phoenix – John MacKenzie has digitised the complete collection, as well as earlier editions of Impact, and they are available for all members on the VicSESVA Phoenix website. Chelsea Unit comes up trumps again, hosting Jayde Cotic for live weather crosses on WOW Day. And a new approach to stress training, devised and developed by the volunteers, is described by a local Tasmanian Central Coast Unit.
Phoenix Editor
phoenix@vicsesva.org.au
South West Regional Council
swrc@vicsesva.org.au
Mid-West Regional Council mwrc@vicsesva.org.au
North West Regional Council nwrc@vicsesva.org.au
North East Regional Council nerc@vicsesva.org.au
East Regional Council erc@vicsesva.org.au
Central East Regional Council cerc@vicsesva.org.au
Central West Regional Council cwrc@vicsesva.org.au
Ryan Batchelor MLC, Chair 2022 Flood Inquiry
STATE-OF-THE-ART HEADQUARTERS UNVEILED FOR VICSES WONTHAGGI
A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART HEADQUARTERS FOR VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE (VICSES) WONTHAGGI UNIT VOLUNTEERS IS SET TO PROVIDE LOCAL MEMBERS WITH INCREASED CAPACITY TO MANAGE EMERGENCIES ALONG VICTORIA’S BASS COAST.
The new development, which was formally opened by Bass MP The Hon. Jordan Crugnale on behalf of the Minister for Emergency Services on Saturday, boasts a host of modern amenities including four drive through motor bays and a 42 locker turn out room.
Situated at a new location on White Road, the brand new VICSES Wonthaggi Unit also houses training and welfare rooms, office space, a communications room, kitchen, and features secure CCTV and backup generator systems, a rainwater tank and is wired for future solar energy use.
The procurement of new land for the VICSES Wonthaggi Unit was initially announced as a commitment of the 2018/19 State Budget.
Celebrating its 48th anniversary this year, VICSES Wonthaggi Unit has a strong local volunteer base, with members receiving more than 70 requests for assistance (RFAs) in the last 12 months.
With the Bass Coast historically subject to significant flood and storm events, VICSES Wonthaggi Unit volunteers have been kept busy in recent times, receiving more than 400 RFAs since 2019.
Local VICSES volunteers are also principal Road Crash Rescue (RCR) providers along the Bass Coast area, working closely with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and fire services in the local area to support their communities in times of emergency.
The new facility is expected to bolster VICSES Wonthaggi Unit’s relationship with these partner agencies and nearby VICSES Units, serving as a modern training base and meeting facility for the area.
On Saturday, senior members of VICSES’ executive, including Chief Officer Operations, Tim Wiebusch, Chief Executive Officer, Greg Leach, and Deputy Chief Officer Capability, David Baker, will join VICSES Wonthaggi Unit Controller Jarrod Hargreaves for a tour of the new facility following its formal opening.
Nicole May www.sgst.com.au
“The new facility is expected to bolster VICSES Wonthaggi Unit’s relationship with these partner agencies and nearby VICSES Units, serving as a modern training base and meeting facility for the area.”
LOCAL SES VOLUNTEER REFLECTS ON RECENT DEPLOYMENT
Gasior volunteered to join his fellow SES members up in Queensland over the New Year period, assisting on hundreds of daily jobs in towns such as Helensvale, Coomera, and Hope Island on the Gold Coast.
Mr Gasior travelled with a group of eight responders, including two Torquay personnel and a member from Bannockburn, alongside
The area was hit by an inland tornado rain caused devastating flash flooding to
“It was mainly a retirement village part of the Gold Coast, but it was devastating to those area, trees were completely uprooted and ripped out before the floods started – we worked in rain every day,” Mr Gasior said.
“We were there over New Year’s Eve, day shift just after Christmas, one day travelling there, one day travelling home, and three working days in between.
“As it always is, it’s just awesome to see SES volunteers from all over the country working together to help others.”Mr Gasior joined the SES 12 years ago and has been on three deployments in the past three years alone, assisting first responders in Western Australia following Cyclone
Seroja in 2021, and visiting Port Macquarie and Gosford following their floods in 2022.
SES deployments interstate are not mandatory, but Mr Gasior said his personal obligation to make his community and other communities safer was an ideal he lives by every day.
“It’s always been something I’ve had great satisfaction in doing, it was probably my main reason for joining up at that open day in 2012.
“We have a very diverse group of volunteers at Bellarine SES and a base that offers are really strong and comprehensive training regime that can prepare anyone for any situation once qualified.
“We have about 21 operational members at the moment and handful of associate members, but we’re in need of volunteers based around the Drysdale, Curlewis and Clifton Springs areas for daytime work and road crash rescue response units.”
Bellarine SES deputy controller Emma Hayes said now is the perfect time to join the unit.
“We are so proud of Richard for his time and efforts on his recent deployment.
“We as a unit respond locally but also help out in other parts of the state or country as required. Our training and skills enable us to have the flexibility to be able to do this.
“We are quite short on members and really need the local community to reach out and enquire about joining.”To become a volunteer at Bellarine SES, email bellarine@ses.vic.gov.au or head to the SES’s website.
COAL MINE HOSTS MULTI-AGENCY TRAINING EXERCISE
A MULTI-AGENCY TRAINING AT WONTHAGGI'S STATE COAL MINE UNITED EMERGENCY SERVICES AND VOLUNTEERS FOR A NIGHT OF COLLABORATION AND READINESS.
It was a sight to behold last Tuesday as Wonthaggi SES, Wonthaggi Fire Brigade, Bass Coast Police, Ambulance Victoria paramedics and State Coal Mine volunteers participated in a group training exercise at Wonthaggi’s State Coal Mine under the expert guidance of Parks Victoria State Coal Mine staff Holly Gloster, Anthony Jones and Phill Price.
The training exercise is part of the mine’s WorkSafe requirements with emergency services having previously gathered over the years to perform various rescue and drill scenarios.
Tuesday’s scenario was an opportunity for SES members and paramedics, including a volunteer Ambulance Community Officer, to work closely with Parks Victoria personal to ensure procedures are up to date as they look to commence walk in, walk out underground mine tours in the near future.
“(Tuesday) gave all agencies the opportunity to work together with a collaborative approach as a team,” Ambulance Victoria acting Senior Team Manager Bass Coast Anthea Chester said noting it was a great exercise to learn from and ensure agencies were prepared for the unfamiliar environment when the mine reopens to tourism.
“It better enables us to be prepared so we can deliver best care for the community and visitors to the area.
“It was a really good night and has allowed us to learn in advance what is possible rather than during a real life event. We were really impressed with the equipment SES had and working with them to get the patient, in this case a 75kg dummy, safely up the incline.”
The first exercise involved the extraction of patient with an ankle injury, whilst the second was a patient suffering a suspected cardiac arrest.
Local Senior Sergeant and Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator Brent Muir was on hand from Bass Coast police and watched over the scenario, whilst local firefighters were on hand to support and assist where necessary.
State Coal Mine volunteers assisted with mine familiarisation and support.
“The training was successful with excellent collaboration and learnings for all participating agencies,” Senior Sergeant Muir stated. It’s not the first time multi agency exercises have occurred at the mine with the local SES and CFA crews undertaking a wide array of training exercises including underground fire scenarios.
“It was a really good opportunity for familiarisation around the mine,” Wonthaggi SES Unit Controller Jarrod Hargreaves explained.
“The multi agency aspect was great. It was great to have Brent Muir on scene in his role as the new Municipal Emergency Response Coordinator; and having AV a part of the multi agency scenario was a huge opportunity as we find ourselves working more closely with them these days too.
“Our (SES) members were also able to practically apply skills that we don’t often see used in our space, particularly around the ropes –it was good skills building.
“The training was successful with excellent collaboration and learnings for all participating agencies,”
Senior Sergeant Muir
“It was also a good opportunity for the incident controllers from each agency to develop a small command team under the control of VicPol and watch how that team worked together to help coordinate the response.”
The training scenario was a good opportunity for the State Coal Mine to test their emergency management procedures and is a crucial part of keeping the prospect of underground mine tours open in the future.
For other local agencies, the training scenario provides the opportunity for members to further enhance their skills.
“It’s an opportunity for our firefighters and members to work with other agencies,” Wonthaggi Fire Brigade Second Lieutenant Kevin Else explained.
“During this scenario we played a supporting role from above ground, but previously we have run training exercises replicating electrical fire scenarios and extraction of patients.”
Parks Victoria have recently announced on their website that they will reopen walk in, walk out tours whilst the drift car works are in progress. Walking tours are scheduled to re commence in mid 2024.
Tours were suspended in 2020 when engineering inspections revealed the rail ‘drift car’ and the track it runs on, no longer met modern safety standards.
The State Coal Mine restoration project is expected to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025 according to the Parks Victoria website.
MANNINGHAM UNIT’S 60YEAR HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
Where do I start?
After a bit of a sabbatical from the Unit over our Covid lockdowns, I had a discussion at a social event with our Unit Controller Vincent Ciardulli, about what sort of thing I could do to support the Unit in a limited capacity moving forward. Given that the Unit celebrated their 60 year Anniversary with a well attended function in February last year, Vincent was quick to suggest that maybe I could consider working on writing our 60 year history and establish some permanent record of the community service the Unit has been involved in since it’s inception as a Civil Defence one in the early 1960s.
All sounds like a great idea, or at least so I thought at the time, so I willingly signed back up and started trying to create a reasonable plan of attack. Call me old fashioned if you must, but my main thought is that I would love to be able to create an actual book, starting with the Civil Defence and all the way up to today.
My grand plans at this stage are rather ambitious for one person and include the proposal to do the following list of actions for consideration of just what we should put in the Unit History.
1. Contact SES State regarding Awards granted to Unit members since their inception and the Corporate Communications and Brand group regarding any VICSES past publications.
2. VicSESVA Go through the over 200 Impact and Phoenix journals electronically to search for initially Doncaster and then Manningham Unit references.
3. Visit the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society for any references to the Civil Defence.
4. Contact the Warrandyte Diary/ Bulletin to obtain copies of any articles relating to the Unit.
5. Research the Civil defence organisation through ‘Trove’.
6. Contact all other Units and request copies of any History documents they put together to help give me the feel for what they found most newsworthy from their history.
7. Interview past members regarding their most significant event/s.
8. Visit the Craigieburn Unit ‘Museum’ and see how we can share things between units.
9. Go through the old unit equipment and documents and create our own small rotating display of items used throughout our 60 plus years of history.
10. Ask lots of questions within the service to help me think of anything else that comes to mind so that we can make our history document as interesting as possible.
So, what have I managed to do so far you may ask from the above ambitious list.
1. I have received a list of all the awards presented to our Unit members. Unfortunately, there was no reference to a state publication called ‘Glimpses’ (the magazine before the Community Matters) available, however, this is planned to
Thank you, Manningham SES!
WEAR ORANGE Wednesday, or “WOW Day” (May 22, 2024), is the national day of recognition to say “thank you” to State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers.
The Manningham unit has been serving the Manningham community for 62 years, made up solely of volunteers responding 365 days a year.
There are currently 30 active volunteers ranging in age, background, and experience, with the longest serving volunteer having been with the unit for over 35 years. Over the last five years requests for assistance, to the Manningham unit has risen by 40 per cent. Which means on average that is at least 1-2 requests for assistance per day over the year, making Manningham SES a very busy unit!
As well as storm, tree, and flood response, Manningham SES provides assistance to other agencies with water and land search-and-rescue, crime scene assistance, and lighting.
Established in the wake of the devastating 1962 bushfires, over the last 62 years, the unit has been involved in numerous operations. These include the 1965 Warrandyte bushfires, and Ash Wednesday in 1983 — where the unit was deployed for five days and nights in Cockatoo. They have attended aircraft accidents, including the RAAF
Photos: MANNINGHAM SES
be followed up further as there must be copies out there somewhere.
2. A huge thank you must go to the former Vice Chair of VicSESVA, John McKenzie for having digitised all these versions of the Impact and Phoenix journals that enabled me to do this search online. What an incredible resource I found within these, and from this I can only suggest to all Units to submit, submit, submit as in all honesty, my Unit was quite prolific over many years in sending in articles and I now have a wonderful start to piecing together the activities of the Unit since these were published.
3. I have visited the Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society, and they were terrific in having done a search regarding the Civil Defence in the area. Unfortunately, not much was available, however, they did have some information on the first Controller E. Graham Keogh, so that has aided me in searching for more information on that gentleman online.
4. I have been granted digital access to these journals and have been able to obtain copies of all articles relating to the Unit.
5. So far, my attempts at going through ‘Trove’ have eluded me, however I will persist and hopefully will add to the information we have already.
6. I sent out a request for any other unit history documents through the VICSES Community Engagers Facebook page which provided me with some great support from a number of Units. Many thanks to all those who helped me.
7. No interviews done to date; however, many past and present members have been put on notice that I will be asking to interview them moving forward.
8. Craigieburn Unit visit is scheduled.
9. Things are piling up for our display, as the Unit keep locating items of the unit’s history. These are both documents and physical items, so we are looking for the best space in the Unit to store these items between displays.
In addition to the above, I have also spent quite some time going through the documents that were provided to the Unit by the family of our former Controller, Alan Alder, OAM. He was quite the keeper of information and I have a large number of manila folders filled with all kinds of information, along with manuals of a lot of past minutes etc.
10. I am on a bit of a quest to find out as much as I can from all other SES members, to get the ball rolling on putting all the above information into the most appropriate format, so please, if your Unit has anything to share, I would really appreciate to hear from you. In addition to the above, I have also spent quite some time going through the documents that were provided to the Unit by the family of our former Controller, Alan Alder, OAM. He was quite the keeper of information and I have a large number of manila folders filled with all kinds of information, along with manuals of a lot of past minutes etc. This is going to be quite the challenge to go through it all, but even after a quick review, I already have quite a lot more information on the Civil Defence than I had before, so this will be well worth the time and effort (and dust) to help really make our 60 plus year history come to life.
By Sue Whitten
THE 2022 FLOOD EVENT IN VICTORIA
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE INQUIRY FINAL REPORT, JULY 2024
The Final report into the 2022 floods has now been released. The full report can be accessed at https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/4a24b1/contentassets/ a1a3e3c7d84c4a059b7f8ad12089af06/lcepc-60-02_2022-flood-event-in-vic_finalreport.pdf
The Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee makes 90 findings and 73 recommendations. The report concludes there needs to be a more integrated, community centred and accessible approach to emergency management in Victoria, from planning through to recovery.
It makes recommendations to improve flood governance arrangements and boost resources and the response of the State Emergency Service.
Other issues include emergency warnings, flood risk and flood mitigation infrastructure.
The Committee also addresses the Flemington Racecourse flood wall, temporary levee in Echuca and management of water catchments including Lakes Eppalock and Eildon.
The Committee’s conclusions are drawn from 880 submissions and 13 days of public hearings, involving hundreds of witnesses in Rochester, Echuca, Seymour, Mooroopna and Melbourne.
Members of the Committee also carried out site visits at Avondale Heights, Maribyrnong, Flemington and Echuca.
In 2023, VicSESVA made a submission to the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee Inquiry. The submission was based on feedback from SES volunteers, including some who had actively served in ICCs or as first responders from areas such as Echuca, Bendigo, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Rochester, Wycheproof, Rushworth, Maribyrnong and Melbourne. Feedback which informed the submission was also received from former emergency volunteer leaders, local residents and other stakeholders, and included experiences of those people on the ground during the multiple flood events across Victoria.
The Parliamentary Inquiry Committee expressed appreciation for the VicSESVA submission and the value of its contribution to the Inquiry. The committee made a specific finding about the relationship between VicSESVA and VICSES:
FINDING 55: A productive relationship between the Victoria State Emergency Service and the Victoria SES Volunteers Association, characterised by effective communication and robust mechanisms for addressing concerns, is crucial for maintaining a strong volunteer base, ensuring operational effectiveness, and enhancing volunteer satisfaction and retention.
The Committee tabled an interim report at the Legislative Council’s regional sitting in Echuca. It delivered findings in relation to northern Victoria. There are further detailed findings plus recommendations for the entire state in the final report.
The following are some excerpts from the Final Report. We recommend interested stakeholders read the report in its entirety.
Chair’s Foreword
Ryan Batchelor MLC Chair
The wettest month on record in Victoria had devastating consequences for many communities across the state. The flood event in October 2022 was a significant natural disaster. This Inquiry was an important way to give a voice to those who had lost so much because of these floods, and to help recommend ways that communities and government could better prepare for, respond to, and recover from, future flood disasters.
The stories from communities across the state were deeply impactful, as was the expert evidence received from emergency responders, local authorities, climate scientists, hydrologists, and urban planners. From that evidence it is undeniable that climate change is intensifying weather events and increasing the risks we face living in this country ‘of droughts and flooding rains’.
It is also clear that in the maelstrom of this disaster a community spirit shone through. Many stories were told of people going above and beyond to help their neighbours, of mobilising all resources to protect towns, and of reaching out and ensuring that no one was left alone or abandoned in a time of crisis. However, the committee clearly heard that resilience can be tested, and community spirit must be constantly nurtured and strengthened.
Responses from government agencies must match the community focused efforts of residents. Remembering the human impact of disaster events in marshalling responses will stand response agencies in good stead for the future. Stresses and strain should be salved, not exacerbated, by government responses.
Not all the damage done in the October 2022 flood event was caused by nature alone. The impact of the volume of rain that fell was exacerbated by decisions made, often years prior, on the shape of the built environment, new physical infrastructure, and by our planning system. The committee was asked to examine several of these including rural levees and culverts, and floodwalls, notably at Flemington Racecourse. The Flemington Racecourse Floodwall increased the extent and duration of the flood in Maribyrnong. Parts of the Rivervue Retirement Village removed from a land subject to inundation overlay were, in fact, flooded less than a decade later. Releases of water from Lake Eppalock and Lake Eildon impacted local landholders and communities.
This Inquiry sought answers to the same question as many in the community—why?
The report gives a detailed account of the evidence received on each of the instances where decision making contributed to flooding.
Decisions taken more than a decade ago are often difficult to piece back together in a way that is completely satisfactory to all affected parties. From the evidence we received, notably from Tony Pagone AM KC and his independent review panel, it is clear that mistakes were made, now with the benefit of better data and new technologies, we have a better understanding of likely effects to better inform future decision making.
Nothing can bring back the homes and businesses destroyed, nor the lives tragically lost in this flood event, but honest learning and a determination to enact change is a fitting and lasting tribute.
For government, one of the most critical roles going forward is accurately and honestly informing communities about risk. New flood modelling is being undertaken across all Melbourne
For eighteen months, the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee has worked on this report, and our work has been informed by 880 submissions, evidence at public hearings in Rochester, Echuca, Seymour, Shepparton and Melbourne. The Committee conducted site visits in Avondale Heights, Maribyrnong, Flemington and Echuca, and heard from a wide range of witnesses, including some who appeared on more than one occasion. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all of those who took the time to tell us their stories and who brought their expertise to the Committee to help us inform this report.
The Committee tabled an Interim Report in April 2024 during the Legislative Council’s regional sitting in Echuca. That Interim Report focused on evidence gathered and findings in
catchments, and flood studies across the state should be regularly undertaken. That new information will inevitably show increased flood risk. Communities need to be properly supported through this process and community leaders need to show compassion, offer support, and avoid exploiting genuine fear and uncertainty.
Preparedness for the next disaster is another essential component of what comes from this latest experience. The VICSES and local search and rescue played a fundamentally important role in the flood response, and clearly need more funding to continue to fulfil that role into the future.
The risk ahead of us is dynamic, not static. As our climate changes and the built environment changes, so will the shape of future disasters. Learning from each disaster event can improve our preparedness for the future. One of the reasons this Inquiry was established was a belief that a disaster event of this scale needed a comprehensive review. A form of review should be part of each natural disaster response, although in the future this is probably best done within the formal structure of Victoria’s emergency management framework.
relation to the floods in Northern Victoria. This Final Report has detailed findings and recommendations for the whole of the state.
I would like to thank all of my committee colleagues for their diligent work and the collegiate spirit shown throughout the Inquiry, especially Sonja Terpstra MLC who served as Chair of the Committee until November 2023 and led the Committee during the regional hearings.
Inquiries like this owe much to the hardworking staff in the Committee Secretariat, led by Manager Lilian Topic, Inquiry Officer Caitlin Connally, Research Assistant Adeel Siddiqi, Communications Adviser Ben Kimber, with administrative support led by Sylvette Bassy and the teams in Hansard and Broadcasting who helped bring the Inquiry to the communities most connected to our work. Please accept my sincere thanks on behalf of all Committee members.
Natural disasters are part our lives and flood risk is growing as the climate changes. How well we prepare, and how well we respond, is the test of our humanity.
Ryan Batchelor MLC Chair
Some matters addressed by the Inquiry include:
Community-centred emergency management
A community centred response is crucial in ensuring that emergency management not only addresses physical risks but also effectively engages with communities and supports the psychological and social needs of those affected. This approach prioritises understanding, preparing, and actively supporting individuals, especially vulnerable populations, during emergencies. Findings from the 2022 flood event highlighted several areas where a more community centred approach would have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of response strategies, particularly in terms of community engagement, support, and housing solutions for vulnerable groups.
The importance of a community centred response was particularly highlighted in relation to the Inquiry’s findings around the inadequacy of current evacuation processes and support mechanisms during the flood event. Residents reported significant trauma associated with rapid evacuation, and others such as people with disability reported that their needs were not considered or planned for at all. This highlights the necessity for more sensitive and well planned evacuation warnings and
processes that consider the emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals.
The 2022 flood event exposed significant gaps in the support structures for affected communities, from preparedness through to recovery. Many residents continue to experience mental health challenges and trauma from their experiences during the floods. Delays and complexities in accessing financial support further exacerbated the distress of affected individuals and businesses.
To foster a community centred response, the Committee’s findings showed a clear imperative to:
• enhance the capacity and training of the Victoria State Emergency Service, particularly in volunteer recruitment and support
• simplify processes for accessing financial aid to ensure timely and less burdensome support for recovery
• increase support mechanisms that address both the practical and emotional impacts of disasters, focusing on mental health and community resilience. Recommendations aimed at fostering a community centred response include:
Community Engagement and Support
(Recommendations 6, 16, 48, 49, 51, 53, 54, 55): These recommendations stem from findings that highlighted a lack of understanding among residents and business owners regarding flood risks and preparedness.
There is a clear need for improved community awareness and engagement initiatives. These recommendations suggest developing programs that not only educate but also actively involve communities in emergency planning and response processes. Enhancing the operational capabilities of the Victoria State Emergency Service by ensuring better resourcing and support, establishing cross border emergency support systems, and increasing the readiness of high risk areas for emergency scenarios are key components.
Housing and Vulnerable Populations
(Recommendations 22, 23, 63): Vulnerable communities are often disproportionately affected by disasters, as observed during the aftermath of the 2022 floods where the impact on housing stability was profound. Recommendations focus on funding resilient housing solutions, such as retrofitting homes to withstand floods. Additionally, these proposals include a critical review of housing support frameworks to ensure they adequately meet the needs of impacted populations, emphasising the importance of accessible and sufficient support in recovery phases. By implementing these recommendations, Victoria can enhance its approach to emergency management, ensuring it is not only effective in managing the physical aspects of disasters but also in addressing the emotional and social impacts on communities.
Accessible emergency management
Ensuring accessibility in emergency response is crucial for enabling all community members, regardless of their location, abilities, or resources, to receive and understand emergency information and services effectively. This approach is central to creating an inclusive emergency management system that addresses the needs of diverse populations. The findings from the 2022 flood event highlighted gaps in the accessibility of emergency information, particularly for individuals with disabilities, those in remote areas, and non English speakers.
The dissemination of emergency information during the flood event was inconsistent and confusing for many residents, with some communities receiving delayed or inaccurate warnings. This inconsistency hindered timely and informed decision making, impacting the effectiveness of the emergency response.
The Committee’s findings suggest a need for:
• standardising the clarity and timeliness of emergency warnings and information across all platforms
• enhancing public awareness of reliable information sources, thus reducing reliance on unofficial channels like social media
• ensuring that all community members have equal access to critical information, especially in diverse linguistic and socio economic groups.
Sandbagging
Key issues raised about sandbagging focused on the SES’ management of these activities, focusing on several operational and logistical challenges which emerged during the flood event. In its submission, Greater Shepparton City Council noted that there were difficulties in the availability and timely distribution of sandbags, making it harder to ensure sandbags were available to ‘residents in most need of them’.
The Council further contended that there was a reliance on community volunteers to support sandbagging efforts because the SES was unable to meet the demand. It highlighted that community members, with some assistance from the Australian Defence Force, filled over 235,000 sandbags at Shepparton Showgrounds, emphasising the scale of the logistical effort during the 2022 floods.
Other councils expressed concern over shortages and delays in sandbag availability from the SES which resulted in insufficient resources to meet immediate needs during peak crisis times. Some of these councils also argued that because the SES was overstretched, local councils and community members were ultimately responsible for managing their own sandbag needs.
VICSES Capability
Approximately 62.5% of the Victoria SES’s volunteer capacity was used to respond to the 2022 flood event (from 98% of total units).
The Committee acknowledges the efforts of the Victoria SES and its volunteers during the 2022 flood event. Despite facing considerable challenges, including limited resources and coordination issues, the SES successfully executed over 1,500 flood rescues—a clear indication of their commitment. Nevertheless, the intense demands during this period exposed deficiencies in resource distribution and operational capability.
The Committee recommends that the Victorian Government urgently implement a strategy for improving the provision of rescue resources across Victoria. Priority should be given to augmenting the supply of rescue equipment and the availability of trained personnel in areas identified as high risk. This would ensure a more efficient and effective response in future emergencies, supporting the SES and other emergency services to address and mitigate the severe impacts of such natural disasters. This strategic reinforcement would also safeguard the wellbeing of the community and the dedicated volunteers who serve them.
WOW DAY
Jayde Cotic at VICSES Chelsea
POPULAR MELBOURNE JOURNALIST AND WEATHER PRESENTER JAYDE COTIC MADE A SURPRISE VISIT TO VICSES CHELSEA UNIT ON ‘WEAR ORANGE WEDNESDAY’ 2024 (WOW DAY). THE LIVE WEATHER CROSSES FEATURED UNIT MEMBERS IN THEIR SES ACTIVITIES AND JAYDE WAS WITH THEM ALL THE WAY! WOW DAY
The selfless work and sacrifices of SES members are irreplaceable and priceless. I am so grateful to the very many active SES units within my Western Metropolitan Region.
It’s impossible to put a dollar figure on the value the SES provide for Victorians in their time of need; not just for saving their lives, but for the compassion and hope inspired in these hard hit communities during and after a crisis.
I believe that strong societies are created by strong local communities - not by distant government bureaucracies
Locals, and especially local SES volunteers, are the ones best qualified to know and care for their community
I want to see the SES fully supported and appreciated because volunteers, and especially emergency services volunteers, are the true heroes of society.
That’s why I moved the following Notice of Motion in parliament this year (excerpt):
I move that this House
1.
Acknowledges and thanks Victoria’s emergency services staff and volunteers for their invaluable contributions;
2. Notes that
- even though Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES) is the control agency responsible for an estimated 74 per cent of costs associated with natural hazard disasters and provided Victoria over $503 million worth of volunteer hours in 2022-23, VICSES is facing a $150 million shortfall to replace end-of-life fleet assets,
- VICSES has not received an allocation of funds under the current Victorian Fire Services Levy or any recurrent capital budget funding in contrast to
On behalf of the Western Metropo Region and all Victorians, I sincere thank you for hard work and the outstanding contribution you mak to our community.
the equally important Country Fire Authority, which is allocated $20 million annually;
3 [And therefore] commits to… [replacing] the disjointed, unsustainable and inequitable funding models for Victoria’s volunteer and paid emergency services organisations with a single, indexed, broad-based emergency services levy similar to New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania, so that all Victoria’s emergency services can fund essential services and maintain operational readiness through access to fair and sustainable funding streams.
Thank you to all the amazing SES volunteers for everything you do!!
Please reach out to my office if I can ever be of service, in any way.
Moira Deeming
By David Burrows
Left: Luke (Ashleigh’s Unit Controller)
Right: Ashleigh
Ashleigh wants everyone to understand the power of having an R U OK? conversation.
“Without that conversation I wouldn’t be in my uniform anymore, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I now know I don’t have to go it alone and I can bounce back stronger.”
“If you notice someone isn’t themselves, trust your gut and check in. Most importantly, make sure you have enough time to really hear their concerns if they say they aren’t OK. It changed my life, and it could change theirs.”
along with the free resources for police and emergency services workers and volunteers, as well as their family and friends. These include a conversation guide, a podcast and other personal stories.
If you’re worried about someone, encourage them to contact their Employee Assistance Program (EAP), agency support service or connect with their GP. For 24/7 for crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Text support is also available: 0477 13 11 14.
Ashleigh and her crew
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
THERE HAS BEEN A NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES LATELY TO VICSESVSA, FROM MEMBERS UNCERTAIN ABOUT HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE ASSOCIATION AND
NEXT STEPS. HERE IS SOME INFORMATION WHICH MAY HELP TO CLARIFY SOME OF THOSE QUERIES.
Note that VicSESVA asks that regional councils are formed generally before May 30 each year. But there are many new SES members and a large number of experienced members of VicSESVA have left the service. This leaves room for new people to become involved.
In the interests of allowing members from across the State to find information, discuss within their Unit, become a delegate and understand how to form a regional council, VicSESVA is prepared to extend the period of time for these steps to happen. There is quite a bit of information about VicSESVA on the website (www.vicsesva.org.au) in the members area, including the Constitution, Delegate information, the VicSESVA plan etc. But first you have to register in order to log in.
First step: become a registered member
While traditionally, every SES Unit was deemed a ‘member’ of VicSESVA and provided up to 2 delegates to regional councils, individual members must also register with VicSESVA through the Phoenix mailing list. This is in order to comply with consumer regulations which came into effect after the VicSESVA Constitution was written.
This will give you access to the website members area. Go to: vicsesva.org.au/howto-subscribe/
Next Step: become a Unit delegate
The VicSESVA document ‘001 Electing Unite Delegates’ is available on the website. Up to two Delegates are elected by each local unit within their respective region. Delegates are elected for a two year term with the possibility of re election at the end of their tenure. Upon the completion
of local elections, delegates from their respective region form part of their Regional Council where they represent their unit.
The role of a Unit Delegate is:
To represent the views and issues of their respective unit at a Regional Council and to encourage input from their unit on issues/ matters raised by other members.
Unit Delegate responsibilities are:
• When possible, attend and participate in Regional Council meetings
• Report back to their unit on the workings of their Regional Council
• Be prepared to nominate/accept nomination for a Regional Council Position of Leadership
Forming a Regional Council
The VicSESVA regional councils are formed according to the previous VICSES structure (before the organisation restructure which consolidated regions into just East and West). They are listed on page 3 in the document ‘001 Electing Unit Delegates”, available on the website.
Also available is the document ‘002 Forming a Regional Council’ which explains the process.
We particularly encourage regional and rural Units to elect delegates, form councils and elect a Director to join the VicSESVA State Board. VicSESVA has always been a strong voice for regional concerns. The distribution of regions (see p.3 ‘Electing Unit Delegates’) is designed so that there is a balance of metro and regional representation.
The regional councils are formed by their constituent unit delegates. Usually this is done by one delegate contacting all the other units in their region and setting up a meeting. At that meeting officers and a Director are elected and then notified to VicSESVA.
VicSESVA Plan
The history of VicSESVA and other information is found on the website in the document ‘VicSESVA Strategic Plan Update 2024’. Feel free to forward this to all your Unit members and other units in your region.
ESF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE 2024: a VicSESVA Opportunity for Volunteers
ONE OF THE PROJECTS OFFERED BY VICSESVA IS THE SPONSORSHIP OF VOLUNTEERS TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL ESF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, HELD IN MELBOURNE IN JULY.
Congratulations to the following volunteers who submitted excellent applications, and who demonstrate their commitment to improving their professional development in the emergency services:
• Brendan Corcoran, Footscray Unit
• Nigel Cunningham, Corio Unit
• Henry Dawson, Malvern Unit
• Vivienne Elder-Smith, Glen Eira Unit
• Matt Francis, Heidelberg Unit
• Lacey Martin, Nillumbik Unit
Some feedback from the SES volunteers attending:
Vivienne Elder-Smith
Glen Eira Unit
1. The overall experience was one of cameraderie it did not matter what colour your uniform was, everyone was very welcoming. The conference was very well run with excellent keynote speakers from all areas of the community be it university research, agencies working in remote locations or hearing from other organisations such as the education sector regarding how they link into Emergency Management.
2. The keynote speaker, Cindi Preller from Pacific Tsunami Museum, Hawaii presented on Living without Fear. Her presentation was technically informative and engaging.
3. After being seconded to the 2019/2020 fires in Swifts Creek, I was interested to hear from the IMT panel who were
deployed to the Canadian Wildfires, and learnt about their challenges including why the smoke from that area was so hard to shift out of the body amongst the many challenges they faced. It was also lovely to hear their indigenous engagement story. During the same session we also heard from Neil Munro, CFA, Schools in Fire Country and Simon Milligan, Dept of Education about snakes, storms, bombs and bushfires all excellent subject experts with great insight to share.
4. Siusan MacKenzie presented about ESF and the great work they do. Her energy, compassion and enthusiasm to drive awareness around mental health issues is amazing. It was an honour to meet Siusan and to have a conversation with her.
VicSESVA volunteers and other SES attendees with EMC chair and ACO of FRV Mark Swiney (on right).
Brendan Corcoran Footscray Unit
The 2024 Emergency Management Conference, run by the Emergency Services Foundation on July 16 and 17 in Melbourne was a valuable insight into the latest research of a wide range of emergencies and information on how the various ESOs deal with them. The keynote speaker was Cindi Preller from the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hawaii. Although not an emergency that generally affects Australian shores, the prevalence of earthquakes that cause tsunamis is on the rise and it is important that we are aware of, and prepared for, the damage caused by these events. The showcases by various companies and organisations were useful in displaying some of the latest equipment. I particularly found the break times useful to network with other ESOs and was able to debrief further with several fellow members who I had worked with (especially those involved in the Maribyrnong Flood Deployment in October 2022) and with VICSES volunteers who I had trained over several years in my past role as Section Leader Training at SES Footscray Unit. I look forward to this Conference in 2025 and recommend that a representative from your Unit attend.
Nigel Cunningham Deputy Controller Training, Corio Unit
I really appreciated the talk on Tsunamis on the first morning, and only wish I could have gotten there earlier so that I didn’t miss half of it. I don’t think I’ve ever done any training in the area of tsunamis while in the SES; I know we consider them not to be very likely but as our unit trainer, it does make me think about that more!
I also appreciated some of the talks provided by people from Nillumbik Shire and from a town near Ballarat, on what they have done in the area of resilience and coping with the possibility that SES might not be able to get to them in time of need. This was my second time attending the Emergency Management conference and I’ve really appreciated it both times. As well as watching the presentations, it’s good too to meet people from other ESOs and to see the stands that showcase new technology and resources.
Matt Francis Heidelberg Unit, Fitness for Role Consultant
1. The overall experience; great! Easy to find venue, comfortable environment for a volunteer and good range of presentations.
2. A favourite presentation/presenter; thoroughly enjoyed the Keynote by Cindi Preller and the Stream 3 session after lunch on the first day good range of presentations most closely linked to SES.
3. Something new you learnt; just starting to get my head around the number of organisations/agencies involved in Emergency Management
Faye Bendrups and Brendan Corcoran with keynote speaker Cindi Preller from the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hawaii.
Nigel Cunningham and Lacey Martin with DEECA’s engagement resource sheep.
The ESF Impact newsletter Issue 56 reported on the conference: The 2024 ESF Emergency Management Conference was held earlier this week in Melbourne, attracting over 400 delegates keen to network and listen, learn, and be inspired. Developed by a cross sector committee with their finger on the pulse of what’s new and needed, the program provided plenty of new and interesting topics and presenters.
This year’s EMC theme was ‘Disasters Have No Boundaries: Navigating the Increasing Frequency and Complexity of Events’ and opening keynote speaker Cindi Preller, from the Pacific Tsunami Museum (PTM), Hawai’i began the conference by explaining how events in one part of the world cross boundaries to have such a devastating effect so far away. Her highly interactive talk demonstrated how children are being educated about tsunamis at the museum she heads up.
The Claire Zara Memorial Oration was an attendee highlight with Dr Margaret Moreton, Executive Director at the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, speaking about why we need gender diversity in disaster risk reduction and resilience, reflecting on the many women and gender minorities in particular who lead and advocate and never ‘give in’ despite their exhaustion in the face of barriers trauma, cultural loss, historic and ongoing prejudice and bias.
Dr Scott Rawling, Director of Science and Reporting with the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, opened our eyes to the economic, social and cultural impacts of disasters and how these are being monitored through various data sources and offered to bring that science and research to agency planning.
Three very popular workshops looked at how emergency management agencies
can build greater trust with communities, how to enhance disability inclusive emergency preparedness, and understanding engagement through diverse perspectives. The outcomes of these workshops will be shared with ESFs Stakeholder Council for further discussion and consideration.
ESF CEO Siusan MacKenzie outlined the programs and opportunities made available by ESF for people from across the sector to build their knowledge and skills around mental health and wellbeing. A lively panel shared over dinner how they tackled the mental challenge of a trek to Everest Base Camp to support ESFs work.
Over two days, people could choose from stimulating topics that covered the full spectrum of emergency management, including themes that considered the human impact of the job such as vicarious trauma, how separation and divorce affects ES workers, and a new early intervention pilot.
The event concluded with Emergency Management Commissioner, Rick Nugent, facilitating a discussion with sector leaders Libby Murphy, Victoria Police, Allyson Lardner, Emergency Management Victoria, Jason Heffernan, Country Fire Authority and Tim Wiebusch, Victoria State Emergency. The panel shared sobering personal insights into how the job has impacted them, and by association, their families and what they do to maintain their mental fitness.
ESF Chair Tony Pearce closed the event by saying, ‹Another terrific ESF Emergency Management Conference attended by 400 delegates. Year after year we see the benefit of the learning opportunities and value that this event adds to our sector with world class speakers and contemporary themes. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone again next year at what will be the 25th anniversary of our conference, a time for celebration.’
Responses
The main takeaway for me is the economic impact on people going through separation. More education and awareness about it would be a great thing and actually find ways to support people going through it. For me it’s probably just socialising it a bit more at work and making it less of a taboo topic.
Peter Komsta Partnerships Director, Wildlife Victoria on Angela Harbinson’s presentation on ‘Impacts of Family Breakdown on the Emergency Service Workforce - ESF study’
I really enjoyed being at the conference this year for a number of reasons. One of which is it’s always an amazing opportunity to catch up with our sector colleagues and get to have those conversations we might not otherwise have. But secondly, it’s been really great just to see the diversity in the program this year and some of the really good conversations, particularly with the workshops, it’s been an opportunity to dive a bit deeper into some of the topics that are really important for the sector.
Dawn Hartog AFSM
Senior Manager, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
This is my 15th EMC, I absolutely love this conference. It gets better and better every year. It’s invaluable having the entire sector come together to collaborate, it makes everything work a lot smoother in our industry. I always end up having a lot more work after I come to this conference but as my boss says: “you don’t want to be handing out business cards during an emergency”. Our team now has a few actions and takeaway with meetings and follow ups with Department of Health, Emergency Recovery Victoria and Bhiamie Williamson from National Indigenous Disaster Resilience
Jess Meilak
Coordination and Planning Officer, National Emergency Management Agency
This year’s EMC has been exceptional, it’s great every year. A highlight for me was Cindi Preller’s session on tsunamis, she was a fantastic keynote speaker. Also, the discussions about terrorism and cyber attacks, this is really pertinent in this day and age. The attendance and interest in the workshops was really pleasing to see with a lot of them full to the brim.
Mark Swiney
EMC Chair and Assistance Chief Officer at Fire Rescue Victoria
17 Lydiard St North, Ballarat VIC 3350 joe.mccracken@parliament.vic.gov.au
IMPACTS OF FAMILY BREAKDOWN ON THE EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKFORCE
SEPARATION IS RARELY SIMPLE OR EASY, ESPECIALLY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE (ES) WORKERS WHO FACE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES DUE TO THE STRESSFUL NATURE OF THEIR ROLES AND SHIFT WORK.
Other factors such as high rates of PTSD and family violence lead to protracted timelines for reaching agreements which often places employees under high stress for 3 5 years. This has a costly ripple effect on the workplace and the communities they serve.
After Angel Harbinson, the founder and CEO of The Separation Guide, spoke at the Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) Mental Health Showcase in October 2023 about the workplace cost of separation, ESF partnered with The Separation Guide to understand the effects of separation on ES workers and the support they need. This aligns with ESF’s 2024 focus on addressing gaps in knowledge surrounding emergency service families and their mental health.
Despite growing awareness of mental health in the workplace, separation and divorce remain stigmatised, leaving individuals feeling isolated. Recognising and addressing these issues is crucial to support ES workers effectively and reduce economic and safety risks for workplaces and the community.
The data showed several risk factors: over 70.7% going through separation reported being physically present at work but not entirely focused, 58.7% found it hard to concentrate and make decisions, emotional regulation was a struggle for almost 50%, and 40% found it
more challenging to cope with job pressures. These factors represent a high risk for employee health, wellbeing, and public safety.
Participants highlighted the need for holistic support addressing emotional, financial, legal, and parenting needs to navigate separation successfully. The survey showed a 229% increase in ES workers experiencing a mental fitness score in the “red zone” while dealing with separation, a risk zone for severe anxiety, depression, and potential thoughts of suicide or self harm. The report made various recommendations for the sector to consider.
Angela Harbinson emphasised, “We know relationship breakdown often triggers societal issues like suicide, substance abuse, family violence, and homelessness. We aim to prevent people from reaching the red zone on the mental health continuum by providing early intervention support to de escalate stress and channel them into pathways that reduce cost, conflict, and confusion.
Research shows that early intervention and workplace support lead to better outcomes, reducing the impact on individuals, their families, workplaces, the health system, and other government services. Therefore, a ‘whole of sector’ approach is recommended to address this societal problem as it impacts emergency service workers and their employers.
Responses
“Emergency services work can be challenging, and strong social support is critical for long term, healthy careers. Family support plays an important role, and disruption and loss of support through separation and divorce can have wide ranging impacts on mental health and wellbeing. This study highlights the prevalence and impact of separation on emergency services personnel and the importance of supporting people through major life upheavals such as relationship separation.”
David Lawrence
Professor of Mental Health at Curtin University and member of the ESF Mental Health Advisory Group
“The separation support report provides critical insight into a subject and impact that touches so many of our workers but until now has not been focused on. This provides the opportunity for us to better understand and support our people.”
Emma Atkins
General Manager – People, Life Saving Victoria
“Great presentation from Angela, just shows how factors outside of work can impact not only individuals but entire teams. The Benefits of Separation Support Services for Emergency Services Workers presentation highlights another crucial way to raise awareness and better support people going through separation.”
Peter V Cantarella
Health and Wellbeing Adviser, DEECA
Melina BATH
MEMBER FOR EASTERN VICTORIA melina.bath@parliament.vic.gov.au 03 5174 7066 2/181 Franklin St, Traralgon VIC 3844 www.melinabath.com.au
ON MONDAY NIGHTS BY 7.30PM WE TRAIN AT THE UNIT. BUT MONDAY THE 27TH MAY WAS BIT DIFFERENT.
We gathered at VICSES Manningham unit around 5.30pm for a slice of pizza and joined by 5 other members from our neighbouring Nillumbik unit to go visit the VICPOL Airwing unit at Essendon. Thanks to the amazing crew at Kinetic and Luy, our wonderful driver, who drove all of us there and back safely.
At the entrance we were greeted by senior constable Haydn Blake. We were briefed and taken to showcase the helicopter first. We were able to see, first hand experience and ask questions while we were given the chance to look around the helicopter. Imagine a kid at a candy store but this is a group of adults in orange uniforms so fascinated by a massive helicopter dedicated for search and rescue! So many questions so many photos, so much excitement!
After about 45 minutes we were taken in to one of their presentation rooms for a quick overview and question time. We learned that the highly sought after
airwing unit that helps SES in search and rescue operations was formed in 1978. The airwing unit has an approximate 300 flight hours per month. They attend on average 600 800 tasks per month. They help in offender arrests that counts approximately about 120 per month and interestingly about 40 rescue winches per year. The fleet consist of 3 Leonardo AW139 Helicopters and 1 King Air AS350 fixed wing aircraft.
We also learnt some very interesting facts during our visit. The helicopter winch has a 250kg capacity for rescue. The camera at the underside of the helicopter is for dedicated search and rescue operations. It comes with night vision goggles. They also have laser pointer to be used for night time for pointing at areas for better visibility. They have a dedicated radio for SES search activities. At any interagency event, not knowing which channel SES uses makes it harder for them to communicate. As SES members, now that we know these barriers we hope we can communicate better with them in search operations in the future. It was a very interesting day.
Mitch Drage from Nillumbik Unit said “The training is essential to ensure a close working relationship with VICPOL Airwing who we regularly work together with, but usually only communicate with over short radio messages, and see from hundreds to thousands of feet away. By understanding each other better, we can
work together more effectively to ensure a safe rescue of people in distress in water, on land, or missing in the bush”. Justin Kibell, Nillumbik Unit Controller who was also present said “so glad we were able to make it to the VICPOL Airwing today with Manningham SES. Thanks to Manningham for inviting us and we learned some new info that will help us in search and rescue missions”.
Gary Birkett from Manningham VICSES unit said “It was terrific to have the opportunity to spend an informative an enjoyable evening with VICPOL Air Wing. Their willingness to share information and support future collaborative training initiatives between our two services is invaluable. Occasions like this allow us to strengthen our relationship and deepen existing capability awareness, resulting in improved delivery of critical emergency response to our community.”
Vincent Ciardulli, Manningham Unit Controller also said “The opportunity
to learn how Police Airwing operate and what their capability is first hand from an airwing team member was incredibly valuable. From the ground in the middle of an operation you can feel out of the picture when it comes to the utilisation of the airwing. The information provided to our members dispelled some of the assumptions we might have had and opened our eyes to the potential of how we can work more effectively together in the field when airwing are supporting an operation. A visit to tour the airwing with your members is well worth putting on the list of interagency activities.”
We said goodbye to VicPol Airwing Senior Constable Haydn around 9pm and we came safely back to Manningham unit by around 9.40pm to make sure the truck check and unit debriefs are done for the week before heading home.
By Kay Jayaweera
TASSIE CENTRAL COAST UNIT STRESS TRAINING
WE’VE ALL BEEN THERE. THE PAGER GOES OFF, YOU TEAR OUT OF THE HOUSE WHILE TRYING TO GET A SHOE ON EACH FOOT, THEN IT’S RUSHED HELLOS AS YOU RUN INTO THE UNIT AND THROW ON YOUR ORANGES WHILE DISCUSSING SITUATION UPDATES AND VEHICLE CONFIGURATIONS. ONCE YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY, YOUR HEART IS PUMPING A MILLION MILES AN HOUR BEFORE YOU TURN UP AT A SCENE AND GET ON WITH THE TASKS AHEAD.
As SES volunteers we regularly function in stressful situations. Whether it’s on a rooftop in howling winds or grabbing the Holmatros for a cut out, adrenaline is coursing through us. While we often think of stress as a bad thing we actually often rely on it in these situations to help us get the job done.
But how often do we train for stress? We train every other skill – RCR, height kit set ups, traffic control, knots – but how often do we train our bodies and minds to function well in the midst of gale forces, flashing lights, and distressed patients? When we are stressed we think and function in different ways. Fine motor skills, decision making and situational awareness (tunnel vision anyone?) become more challenging … all super important components of being effective on an SES job!
At Central Coast unit we decided to put specific effort into stress training. We wanted to be able to work well even under stress, so we need to train in those same conditions. Our leadership team set up ‘stress nights’ – which are more fun than they sound! Often these nights start by getting heart rates up to simulate stress through a jog,
star jumps or something similar. Then, we’re thrown into a scenario environment with any combination of blue and red flashing lights, loud noises, distractions, and distressed patients, and we work in groups to complete a series of tasks. These tasks range from fine motor skills to communication tasks to SES role specific jobs.
Before and after each training, we discuss different ways to manage stress on the job and reflect on how we respond in various situations. Stress management might include anything from different breathing techniques (Google ‘box breathing’ or ‘physiological sigh’ if you’re interested – I’ve personally found these
very helpful), to communication with each other in intense environments. Discussions often also include reflecting on our own experiences and being aware of how we manage our stress as individuals, including when to call in extra support for yourself or a team member.
While this is a relatively new area of training we have found it to be a valuable experience. We look forward to including this in more ways in our training to ensure that our communities, teams and ourselves as individuals get the best out of us in our SES roles.
By Kelsea Clingeleffer
Being online has made meeting and interacting with others easier than ever before, but it’s important to know how to stay safe.
Here are ThinkUKnow’s top tips for safer online interactions:
• Question suspicious accounts, and trust your instincts if something doesn’t seem right - not everyone is who they say they are.
• Avoid meeting someone in person that you have only ever spoken to online. However, if you do meet, choose a public place and take someone with you.
• If something goes wrong, know how to block or un-match and report.
• Your safety should always come first!
Sometimes things don’t go to plan but there is always help available.
For more information, visit www.thinkuknow.org.au
ThinkUKnow is a national online child safety program led by the Australian Federal Police, delivered in schools through educational presentations and resources for young people and their parents and carers.
PODCAST NOW STREAMING PODCAST NOW STREAMING
Even the most resilient emergency services workers and volunteers can be affected by stress and trauma related to their work, or as a result of other life challenges. Are They Triple OK? resources provide practical tools and tips on how to start an R U OK? conversation with a workmate, friend or family member in the emergency services, to help them feel connected and supported, long before they’re in crisis. Scan to learn more
