AFAC24 Exhibition continues to provide the ideal platform as the emergency management sector continues to understand and explore how interoperability across services delivers outcomes to our communities.
Hundreds of manufacturers and suppliers showcasing international and national brands of products, services, and solutions for 5 organisational elements:
Capability
Fleet, PPE, and Equipment. Community Risk Reduction
Risk reduction, mitigation strategies, warning systems, and risk management.
Embracing innovation and disruption: designing the future for our sector Emergency & rescue
Workforce
WHS, people systems and learning & development
Fire Safety
Building fire safety systems, building standards
AFAC24, ADRC24 and IFE24 deliver solutions to these industry sectors:
PHOENIX. If your Unit has a need to publicise an event or Unit activity, send it to PHOENIX.
Content for Phoenix Photography should only be supplied digitally or as original prints (please supply stamped, self-addressed envelope for returning). Please avoid scanning of any type. Text should be supplied electronically as a Microsoft Word document.
Send all articles to: Email: phoenix@vicsesva.org.au
VicSESVA CONTACTS
VicSESVA Phoenix Editor & Mailing List Enquiries
To add, edit or delete members to mail list or password and technical support contact: helpdesk@vicsesva.org.au
VICSESVA INFORMATION AND OFFICER CONTACT DETAILS
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Countrywide Austral is appointed by the Victoria Emergency Service Association as the authorised publisher of PHOENIX. For enquiries re advertising in this magazine, please contact the printers and publishers:
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
From the BOARD
Welcome to the first edition of Phoenix for 2024. The year has started with another catastrophic weather event on 13 February, with fires and storms leaving devastation and destruction across many parts of Victoria. VICSES received around 6,000 Requests For Assistance. The weather had not turned out as expected over the Summer: predictions of a dry El Niño did not eventuate and there was no let up across the Eastern States of storms, floods, fires and other emergency events. In this edition, read about the situations in places like Pomonal and Mirboo North, as well as the heartbreaking disappearance of Ballarat mum Samantha Murphy, where 200 volunteers helped in the search.
The Climate Council of Australia produced a report which referred to Australia’s climate “whiplash”.
Greg Mullins AOFSM, Founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action said:
“Off the back of the driest three months ever recorded in our history came a deluge of floods and storms, once again pushing emergency services to capacity and forcing communities to fend for themselves. Communities must be given what they need to prepare for and respond to disasters”. The Climate Council’s report ‘Climate Whiplash: Wild Swings Between Weather
“Off the back of the driest three months ever recorded in our history came a deluge of floods and storms, once again pushing emergency services to capacity and forcing communities to fend for themselves. Communities must be given what they need to prepare for and respond to disasters”.
Greg Mullins AOFSM
Extremes’ is available on their website www.climatecouncil.org.au.
Do you know the history of VicSESVA and how it works to benefit all the SES volunteers? This edition of Phoenix features a short history of the Association, and also information about how you can become involved and participate as a Unit delegate. VicSESVA is seeking new members to join and make a difference, to contribute to the development and wellbeing of all volunteers.
Read about the Emergency Service Foundation’s ‘Families Guide, and sign up for their ‘Partners Online’ Workshops.
These are based on the ESF’s popular Mental Health Matters Workshops and are specially tailored for the partners of emergency service volunteers. Information is in the article on the ESF Families Guide. Importantly, think about your safety and wellbeing and those around you. VICSES has experienced a significant loss of experienced members in recent years, with their places filled by new recruits. They need the mentoring and advice from members with skills and knowledge gained over many years of practice. No-one is safe until everyone is safe.
Chairperson
chair@vicsesva.org.au
Treasurer treasurer@vicsesva.org.au
Secretary secretary@vicsesva.org.au
Volunteer Shop shop@vicsesva.org.au
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
BALLARAT MISSING PERSON SEARCH
VICSES VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN ASSISTING VICTORIA POLICE, IN THE SEARCH FOR MISSING BALLARAT EAST WOMAN, SAMANTHA MURPHY, WHO DISAPPEARED AFTER LEAVING FOR A MORNING JOG ON SUNDAY 4 FEBRUARY.
The case has drawn the concern from communities across Victoria and further afield, and left family and friends distraught. Around 200 VICSES volunteers from 23 Units participated over 6 days. VICSES issued the following communication: “VICSES will prepare further crews to assist and join in the search as requested. We all hope for a positive outcome in the search for Samantha, and we thank our dedicated SES volunteers for their time”.
Volunteers came from VICSES South Barwon, Bannockburn, Ballarat, Woodend, Gisborne, Melton, and Bacchus Marsh Units. The terrain at the search location was arduous, with bushland and sparse shrubbery sloping down into canopied parts that open out on to large paddocks. The volunteers were supported by a Forward Operating Vehicle and a VICSES staff member based at the Buninyong Police Station. Volunteers from the CFA also participated as did volunteers from Search and Rescue Dogs Australia, as well as hundreds of members of the local community.
Research reveals that for every missing person reported, on average at least 12 other people are affected whether it is emotionally, physically, psychologically or financially. For families, not knowing what has happened to someone they love is devastating.
The AFP Missing Persons Unit states that “the impact on families and friends, and the missing people themselves, can be both profound and multi-faceted. Commonly reported impacts on family and friends of missing persons include health consequences, time off from work, and financial costs associated with the search”.
VICPOL resumed the search with expanded personnel on 23-24 February. The local community also organised more volunteers, asking for people with bush walking or horse riding skills, prospectors with metal detectors, bushies and others.
On Saturday 24 February, 200 assembled in Ballarat to join the search.
The VICPOL Media Unit issued the following statement:
Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad will today lead a targeted search of the Mount Clear area as part of
their investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Ballarat East woman Samantha Murphy. This extensive search will involve a significant number of detectives from across Crime Command and other specialist commands, as well as local police. They will focus on an area highlighted by intelligence derived from phone data.
Extensive searches have been conducted throughout the Canadian Forest area since Samantha’s disappearance on the 4th of February, however no trace of her has been located at this time. These searches have involved a range of specialist units from across Victoria Police and many local community members have also volunteered their time to assist the search.
The 51-year-old was last seen leaving her property on Eureka Street to go for a run, about 7am Sunday, 4 February. Samantha was known to regularly run through the Canadian Forest area. Police are treating her disappearance as suspicious due to the length of time she has been missing and given no trace of her has been found.
The Missing Persons Squad has primacy of the investigation and that team has been further expanded with experienced detectives from a number of units across Crime Command and other specialist areas. The team will also continue to work closely with local police. Investigators are currently in the process of reviewing about 12,000 hours of CCTV footage and following up over 500 separate pieces of information. Police are again releasing two images of Samantha in the hope someone recognises her and can provide any information about her movements since Sunday, 4 February. One of the images was captured on her home CCTV system before she left for her run on the Sunday morning.
Police are continuing to ask everyone in the Ballarat East and Mount Helen areas, particularly around the Canadian Forest, to check their CCTV for any possible sightings over the past three weeks. Detectives are also urging anyone travelling through the area, particularly between 7am and 7pm on Sunday 4 February, who may have dash-cam footage to also check this for possible sightings.
Samantha Murphy
VICSES volunteers muster at Buninyong,
A number of items have been located during the search for Samantha, however these have since been assessed and at this time are not believed to be related to her disappearance.
There is also no evidence to suggest Samantha’s disappearance is linked to any other incidents in the area at this time.
Police and family have significant concerns for Samantha’s welfare due to the length of time she has been missing and her disappearance is considered extremely out of character.
Samantha is described as Caucasian, about 173cm tall with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair.
She was last seen wearing black halflength leggings and a maroon/brown coloured singlet.
Anyone who sights Samantha is urged to contact triple zero (000) immediately. Anyone with any other information about Samantha’s current whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
Detective Acting Superintendent Mark Hatt, Crime Command said:
“Since Samantha’s disappearance on the 4th of February, a significant search and investigation has been undertaken in an effort to find her. We are keeping an open mind, but believe the most likely scenario is that her disappearance involves one or more parties.
“Given the extensive and detailed search that has already been undertaken, and the fact no sign of Samantha or her personal belongings has been located, we have ruled out any type of medical incident.
“There is also nothing to indicate that Samantha left the area of her own accord. I know that a lot of people, particularly those who live in the local Ballarat community, are extremely concerned about the fact we haven’t yet located Samantha or who may be responsible for her disappearance.
“I want to reassure those members of the public that Victoria Police is doing everything we can to find out what has happened and provide some
answers to Samantha’s family and the broader community. We have also had immense public support for both the search and investigation, and I want to thank those people who have given up their time or provided information to police.
“I encourage anyone who does have information that could be relevant to this investigation – whether that’s a person or vehicle seen in the area on that day, something unusual such as a damaged vehicle or property – to please come forward and speak to police or provide the information via Crime Stoppers.
“Finally, it’s important that people continue to avoid unnecessary and unhelpful speculation because we don’t want that to detract from the genuine investigation or potentially prevent anyone coming forward with information because they have a misconception about what has happened to Samantha. Police remain open to any and all possibilities, so if you know something or have seen something, then we want to hear from you.”
Tuesday 6 February, Photo VICSES
CATASTROPHIC STORM AND FIRE EMERGENCY HITS VICTORIA
ON 13 FEBRUARY 2024, AS TEMPERATURES REACHED ABOVE THE HIGH 30S, VICTORIA WAS PLACED UNDER A ‘CATASTROPHIC’ FIRE EMERGENCY WARNING FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE DEVASTATING BLACK SUMMER FIRES OF 2019-2020.
Storms described as “apocalyptic” hit the State, causing widespread damage. VICSES received over 6,000 requests for assistance; a record similar to the 2021 storms, which hit the Dandenongs and Gippsland areas with significant building and essential infrastructure loss or damage. As well as dozens of Units responding, VICSES also provided IMT functional roles in fire and storm affected areas, including divisional and sector commanders, FOV operators, staging area support, task forces, crews and Community Liaison Officers.
Huge power transmission lines were flattened, leaving a record half a million people without power, internet or phones; bushfires destroyed 46 homes and other structures, with another 37 houses uninhabitable in Pomonal in the West, and high winds and trees down wreaked havoc in Mirboo North in the East.
Only one week later, similar conditions led to the loss of at least three homes to bushfire north of Beaufort and residents were advised to evacuate immediately. As this edition of Phoenix goes to press, yet another day of high temperatures and similar conditions was forecast for coming days.
We need assistance...
Request for Assistance
1200 hrs (13/2/2024) - 1600 (21/2/2024)
TOTAL RFAs : 6,000
Regions:
• Southern Metro - 1940
• Eastern Metro - 1550
• North West Metro - 475
Busiest Units:
• Monash - 1,030
• Emerald - 520
• Leongatha - 380
• Greater Dandenong - 365
• Gippsland - 950
• Loddon Mallee - 385
• Hume - 270
• Barwon Southwest - 226
• Grampians - 115
• Knox - 345
• Narre Warren - 205
• Glen Eira - 191
• Frankston - 170
• Corio - 161
• Warragul - 100
Are You Prepared?
If you are evacuated, do you have a ‘Go -bag’ ready? Do your friends and family know what to do and where to go? You can help them. Think about what you/they will need. Remember, you may not have phone, power or Internet for some days. Make up a hard copy list of your phone contacts in case there is no charging or coverage. If you are able, call family, friends and neighbours to tell them you are OK. Consider the following:
• Water
• Medication
• First aid kit
• Battery radio and spare batteries, stay tuned to the emergency broadcaster e.g. ABC
• Important documents, e.g. driver’s licence, passport, credit card, essential services bills, house title, insurance etc.
• Essential IT e.g. phone, laptop, charger etc. useful to bring a waterproof bag for these
• Appropriate clothes, including for cold or wet weather – conditions can change fast (leather boots, eye protection, hat, gloves etc.)
• Pets? Pet food, animal cage, vet contact details etc.
• Torch and batteries
One week after the storm, many areas were still under a Watch and Act alert
Where to go?
• Local relief centre in your area
• Family or friends away from the danger zone
• A shopping centre or CBD of a regional or urban centre (useful in days of extreme heat, as they will be air conditioned)
• Community centre, local library in low risk area
Image FB Martha Haylett MP
AUSSIE SUMMER
WHIPLASH EXPLAINED:
CLIMATE CHANGE FUELLING UNPREDICTABLE FIRES, STORMS AND HEAT
For further information, go to: climatecouncil.org.au
Social media: facebook.com/climatecouncil twitter.com/climatecouncil
CLIMATE WHIPLASH HAS CAUGHT AUSTRALIANS OFF GUARD THIS SUMMER, AS INCREASINGLY VOLATILE WEATHER HAS FLUNG COMMUNITIES BETWEEN EXTREME HEAT AND FATAL FLOODS.
The Climate Council’s report ‘Climate whiplash: wild swings between weather extremes’ concludes that Australia’s summer of dangerous downpours and scorching heat is consistent with six symptoms of a warming planet.
Australia’s climate whiplash has involved: The driest three months on record, then record rainfall.
Weather records broken in almost every state and territory, with weeks of summer left.
Millions of Australians on the east coast sweltering through weeks of unusually high humidity.
2023’s announcement of an El Niño and an early start to fire seasons in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland, as well as huge parts of the Northern Territory burning for months, boded for a hot, dry summer. What Australians experienced instead was a combination of both intense heat and extreme downpours that claimed lives and homes across the east coast of the country.
The report reiterates that climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil, and gas, is supercharging Australia’s weather systems, making them more unpredictable and dangerous than ever before.
It also warns that the weather of the past may no longer be a reliable guide for the future. Hot on the heels of El Niño come concerns that La Niña, a climate driver associated with floods and storms, may return as early as mid this year.
Dr Simon Bradshaw, Director of Research at the Climate Council said:
“For too many communities, the great Australian summer is now something to be feared. Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, means our weather is more extreme, dangerous and unpredictable.
“From intense heat and fierce fire conditions to flooding rains and back again, Australians are experiencing climate whiplash: hurtled from one extreme to another with little time to recover.
“The stifling humidity, intense storms, soaring temperatures and other extremes of recent months are all key signs of a fast-warming planet.
“We know what we need to do to better protect Australian communities. It starts with cutting Australia’s climate pollution. We must urgently reform our national environment law so that we stop adding fuel to the fire by approving new coal and gas projects, and we must lock in the proposed fuel efficiency standard as soon as possible. At the same time, we must work much harder to prepare communities for the climate impacts of today and tomorrow.”
Professor Lesley Hughes, Climate Councillor said:
“Wild swings from fires to floods are threatening the people we love and the places we call home. Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil, and gas, has worsened Australia’s weather from coast to coast, with almost every state breaking extreme weather records this summer.
“This report makes it clear that we can no longer rely on the past to predict the future when it comes to our weather. Climate change is causing erratic swings from sweltering heat to devastating downpours, and it is increasingly hard to predict what each season will bring.
“But we are not without hope or guidance – what we can rely on is the science. The same science that has been warning us for decades that days like these would come, also spells out the solutions we so desperately need. The science tells us that the only way out of this is to leave coal, oil and gas in the ground for good – not tomorrow or the next day, but now.”
Greg Mullins AOFSM, Founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action said:
“The start of the fire season was ferocious, and it came too soon. Climate change closed the window we once used to conduct critical hazard reduction burns; suddenly swinging from too wet, to too dry and dangerous. Catastrophic fire warnings were recorded around the country, and homes and lives were lost to deadly blazes all before December.
“Off the back of the driest three months ever recorded in our history came a deluge of floods and storms, once again pushing emergency services to capacity and forcing communities to fend for themselves.
Communities must be given what they need to prepare for and respond to disasters.
“It is unfathomable to me that, while we face fires and floods, we continue contributing to the problem. Australia must leave coal, oil and gas behind for the sake of our future. The alternative is simply not an option.”
The Climate Council is Australia’s leading community-funded climate change communications organisation, providing authoritative, expert and evidence-based advice on climate change to journalists, policymakers, and the wider Australian community.
MIRBOO NORTH:
UTTER DEVASTATION
MIRBOO NORTH BORE THE BRUNT OF FEBRUARY’S WILD VICTORIAN WEATHER IN GIPPSLAND. SES UNITS FROM WARRAGUL, THORPDALE, AND BAIRNSDALE WERE HIT HARD, WITH THE LEONGATHA UNIT HAVING THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF RFAS.
Residents knew a storm was coming, but were not prepared for the tornado-like disaster. Although it only lasted a matter of minutes, some locals described it as a scene straight out of a natural disaster movie.
Huge trees were ripped out of the ground; debris was strewn across roads, paths and buildings, power lines dangled like strings.
The South Gippsland Sentinel Times quoted local MP for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, who was working temporarily out of the Mirboo North Fire Station:
“There is extensive damage, it is a cyclone or mini-tornado equivalent that has gone through a fairly large swathe of Mirboo North – the area near the swimming pool is catastrophic. The tops of gum trees taken off,
trees down, and probably estimates of 20 homes damaged. One home doesn’t look too bad, but the roof has been lifted up, rain has got in, windows have been blown out.
“The Mirboo North community has, as expected, been absolutely magnificent – people turning up throughout the night with diggers, chainsaws, excavators, doing what they can to help, but this is a big job. The message provided to the Premier’s Office is that we will need help – people and big machinery; those that can lift and move trees.
“SES and CFA are doing their best, but Mirboo North will need support and there will be a cleanup for quite some time in the area. The South Gippsland community as it always does is kicking in and helping – not waiting for anyone else”.
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
VICSESVA
VICSESVA IS THE OLDEST AND LONGEST-RUNNING
The Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association was formed in 1983 as the Victoria Emergency Service Association (VESA).
During the late 1970s VICSES was seen as a ‘poor cousin’ to the other emergency service organisations, in fact in several quarters SES was an emergency service in name only. Legislation, funding, meagre equipment and training all reinforced this perception. SES was an organisation doing what the others did not or could not.
Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (VicSESVA) to a) better reflect who the association represents and b) to align with other jurisdictions’ name changes when they formed the National SES Volunteers Association (NSESVA).
VicSESVA aims:
• To be an active advocate for VICSES volunteers’ safety and welfare.
Phoenix Magazine
VicSESVA publishes this Phoenix magazine for VICSES volunteers.
Phoenix is the longest-running EM volunteers’ magazine in Australia.
Phoenix is published digitally four times a year and features articles and photos of interest, submitted by volunteers and staff.
• To ensure that the highest level of skills training is available to the volunteers of VICSES.
Phoenix has a wide distribution; to SES volunteers and staff, all Victorian Members of Parliament, Heads of emergency agencies both Victorian and interstate, and other interested individuals.
VESA was structured to represent individual, unit, region and state issues. Unit representatives formed regional councils who in turn supplied members for the State Committee of Management. In its embryonic stages VESA comprised essentially individuals, gradually evolving to a ‘whole of unit’ membership basis.
In 2015 the VESA board decided to change the association’s name to the
• To ensure that the resources available to volunteers are applicable to the respective operational requirements.
• To maintain effective communications and interaction with all emergency and support agencies.
• To play an influential part in advocacy at the local level, and at the national level through membership of the National SES Volunteers Association (NSESVA).
Phoenix can be accessed by any member, or any interested individual. Members can register by using their SES member number at https://vicsesva.org.au/how-to-subscribe/ Other individuals can contact the Secretary for an access link, secretary@vicsesva.org.au
The first edition of the Phoenix was printed in early 1987. This rudimentary first release was the foundation of the journal as we know it today. Prior to the print release of the journal, VESA released
Oldest known Association logo
Original logo released with the first edition of the Phoenix Magazine in 1987
HISTORY
SES VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION IN AUSTRALIA.
Logo used from 1999 until 2015
Association corporate logo 2015 onwards
1999 2015
a simple newsletter. Below is an excerpt, the author’s name was not listed.
“Welcome to the first copy of Phoenix , not quite what we had in mind, and not up to what it will become in the future. Phoenix is produced by VESA, set on our I.B.M., and printed sheet-fed offset. Phoenix will be produced eleven issues per year, and bulk-mailed, individually-addressed, to every SES unit in Victoria. Copies will be included for local police, ambulance and fire service, and controllers are requested to deliver them as needed.”
The choice of Phoenix as the name and logo is still unclear. It has been suggested that the Phoenix symbolises renewal or ‘rising from the ashes’ which may have been influenced by the events of Ash Wednesday (1983). Further research and investigation into this topic continues. Some Volunteers have suggested one of the early editions of the Phoenix has this mentioned.
The first Phoenix logo and cover was designed by John Basham from Croydon Unit and Artwork was completed by Mark Todd from Australia Post’s graphic
design department. The cover design would remain unchanged until the early 2000s.
In 2019, after a 32-year print run, the Phoenix magazine moved from physical to digital production and distribution:
“As Phoenix moves into a contemporary online format, it is worth noting the significant volunteer contribution that has been made to the State of Victoria and its local communities for many decades. This inaugural online edition of Phoenix looks back at a selection of previously published articles and celebrates the enormous range of SES volunteers’ skills and abilities that continue to build civic cohesion, keep communities safe, work effectively with other agencies, and add value to the lived experience of individuals, in groups and neighbourhoods.
As we review past articles that have been published in Phoenix , it reminds us that SES volunteers give selflessly of their time and energies. The selection of articles in this current edition is just a small indication of the work undertaken by volunteers.”
(‘From the Board’ column, Issue 195 March 2019)
It was a timely move, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit Australia in early 2020 and along with economic, business and social disruptions, the Phoenix publisher as well as SES units had to adapt their business models. Phoenix was already established as an online publication so there was no change to the schedules, content or coordination. The publishers regard Phoenix as the longest running Emergency Service magazine in Australia. Thanks to the tireless work of Hamilton member John MacKenzie, VicSESVA has a complete archive of all Phoenix editions and also a complete archive of the magazine Impact, published prior to Phoenix , all accessible on the VicSESVA website www.vicsesvca.org.au . This is an invaluable research trove for scholars of emergency services in Australia, and also of great interest to families and individuals associated with SES.
THANK YOU SES VOLUNTEERS
Murrindindi Shire Council would like to thank the Victorian SES and in particular our local volunteers for your ongoing efforts and commitment to keeping our community safe.
DID YOU KNOW?
RFA TO ‘FLOOD’ DAMAGE
HOW MANY TIMES HAVE SES CREWS BEEN CALLED TO RESPOND TO ‘FLOOD DAMAGE’, ONLY TO FIND A BURST BRAIDED HOSE WITH A RUBBER CORE UNDER A SINK OR IN A BATHROOM?
Under sink hose connections are prone to damage when they’re connected in tight spaces amongst other pipes that rub up against each other or due to the pressure changes when you turn the tap on and off.
And what if the resident doesn’t know how to turn off the water? Or if they don't know where the mains tap is, or there is no access (as sometimes occurs in multiple dwelling apartments). Sometimes, the water has been flowing for some time, leaving a large cleanup and repair bill.
VICSES member Ray
Dark reminds us:
“Might be talking to the 'converted', but the public should be more aware they are guaranteed for 7 years, (I think) and mostly last for 10, and after that, at your own risk. Couple of our jobs lately were when folks were not at home, so quite added to their water bill - and cleanup costs...”
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This offer is available to all past & current First Responders, the SES & Emergency Service Volunteers, personnel, supporters back at base, out in the field, other financial supports /advertisers that contribute to our nation’s First Responders Community.
ESF FAMILIES GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE
THE FAMILIES GUIDE IS A RESOURCE DEVELOPED BY ESF WITH FUNDING FROM EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VICTORIA FOR FAMILIES OF VICTORIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS.
Often it is family members who are the first to notice concerning changes in behaviour or mood of their emergency service worker yet, according to ESF’s research, families often lack the confidence to help them. Like physical health challenges, the sooner mental health challenges can be addressed the better.
The newly available ESF Guide for Families of Emergency Service Volunteers, developed with assistance from the State Government, responds to what ESF heard when speaking with family members.
The Guide aims to help family members of emergency service workers, support their volunteer family member, recognise the signs of mental distress, support and talk to the emergency service volunteer in the family about how they have been impacted by the work they do, and talk to their children about the complexity of emergency services work, and know where to go for help.
Further, the guide emphasises the importance of families protecting and nurturing their own mental wellbeing while acknowledges both the joy and pride, but also the difficulty and stress of having a family member involved in emergency service work.
One area of identified from ESF’s research into what support families of emergency service workers want was that there was a gap in support for children. The Guide addresses the unique position children of emergency service workers grow up in - they may worry about their caregiver’s safety, or not understand why their caregiver sometimes behaves in a different way when they return home from volunteering, or why parents or caregivers might miss big celebrations like birthdays, Christmas, or school events. Concerns can be intensified by exposure to news reports and discussions with peers at school. The Guide steps parents and caregivers through talking with children about emergency service work, and how they, and their families can work together to optimise their mental wellbeing.
The Guide is an initiative of ESF’s new Family Matters Strategy and has been informed by significant consultation with the families of volunteers. It follows the successful pilot of Flourishing Families workshops in East Gippsland in January developed and delivered by
ESF in partnership with MacKillop for families of emergency service workers in disaster affected areas.
Building on the success of ESF’s Mental Health Matters program which is delivered as a workshop to volunteer brigades and units at a time that suits them, ESF will be hosting four online evening workshops in 2024 specifically for partners of volunteers. The first of these is scheduled for 18 March.
“This resource is a great introduction to all families of Emergency Services workers. I wish I had this so I could identify the changes in my husband before he got to his worst. I encourage all partners to read and learn about the Mental Health concerns of this line of work and begin to monitor your partner. You’ll see it before they do!” – Courtney Daly, partner of an emergency service worker.
“The value of support from the families of effective emergency service people is immeasurable, particularly in the instance of volunteers. This guide provides solid information to assist the volunteering family. I am very thankful for the support of my own family, and that extends to all the families of the wonderful volunteers I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. These volunteer families work hard to keep communities safe and connected. Well done to you all.” – Andrew Perry, Fire fighter and former Captain Yarck Rural Fire Brigade.
Family Matters Rationale
• There is widespread recognition that families of ES workers are key to their wellbeing and operational sustainability.
• It is challenging to reach families with information and support services.
• ESF’s studies point to a lack of support, connection and mental health resources and education for families of ES workers.
• Low mental health literacy and stigma inhibits early help seeking.
• Families of ES workers have a role to play in helping people deal with work stress and demands.
ESFs approach to developing a Family Matters strategy is informed by the following studies:
• Supporting those who support you –The experiences of ES workers’ families undertaken by WPI in 2021.
• Hidden voices – Exploring the unseen impact of ES work on the children of Victoria’s First Responders undertaken by WPI in 2023.
• Support needs of the family of emergency service volunteers –undertaken by Right Management for ESF in 2023.
• Mapping Exercise – ESFs mapping exercise undertaken by Phoenix in October 2022 identified the need to develop resources for families beyond what EAP can provide.
• Stigma and help seeking – undertaken by Phoenix in 2021 A preliminary business case.
Partners Online Workshops: Register Now
Based on our popular Mental Health Matters Workshops comes an online workshop, specially tailored for the partners of emergency service volunteers. The workshops, hosted on Zoom, will be held in the evenings on the following dates:
• Monday, 18 March
• Thursday, 2 May
• Monday, 5 August
• Thursday, 24 October
If you are interested in attending one of the partners workshops, register your name and email on the ESF website to receive a link to join, esf.com.au.
TRANSMISSION TOWERS FLATTENED
THE FEBRUARY STORMS FLATTENED SIX TRANSMISSION TOWERS IN ANAKIE, NEAR GEELONG, WHERE WIND GUSTS WERE RECORDED AS 122KPH. THIS WAS SIMILAR TO OTHER TOWER FAILURES, SUCH AS WHEN A 500KVA TRANSMISSION TOWER FELL IN CRESSY IN 2020.
As well as the major transmission lines, wind, fallen trees and lightning brought down dozens of local power poles across the state, leaving more than half a million households without electricity. This is a record hopefully never to be repeated. It took days for power to be restored, and even a week later, thousands of people were still without power.
Why do transmission towers fall over?
This 2024 failure, like that of South Australia in 2016 and Victoria in 2020 is not that uncommon in Australia or overseas. Many researchers believe that industry has to adopt suitable levels of loading as well as researching further into High Intensity Wind effects.
According to a report in The Age, Victoria’s network of 13,000 pylons are riddled with rust, with one-in-seven badly affected. The newspaper cited a 2020 study that found the towers are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather as time passes. The transmission towers have an expected service life of 70 years, with the average age of Victoria’s being 57 years,
with more than half within a decade or less of reaching their maximum use time.
The answer to a question of why towers fall over isn't as simple as "it was too windy".
Harrison Tippett, writing for ABC online (15 Feb 2024) explains:
“In a 2020 report into the Cressy tower collapse, Energy Safe Victoria, the state's energy watchdog, found ‘severe convective downbursts’ were specifically to blame for the tower falling. The term is a neat way of describing how a thunderstorm can violently push a huge burst of wind downwards, which then pushes outwards as a gust front when it reaches the ground. The ESV incident report found the Cressy towers were built in the early 1980s under an old ‘overhead line design’ standard. The latest version of the standard requires designs to consider convective downdraft wind gusts, sometimes referred to as high intensity winds, which are generated by severe thunderstorms. The original towers were designed to older standards by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) between 1978 and 1980, which did not consider convective downdraft wind gusts at this time. The SECV constructed the current towers between 1980 and 1983”.
Engineering firm Gamcorp suggests there needs to be a nuanced analysis of our infrastructure’s resilience against natural forces:
Analysing the Forces at Play
The recorded wind gust speed at the time of the collapse introduces a pivotal dimension to our understanding. Given that these structures are designed by specialist engineers, meticulously crafted to withstand significantly higher wind forces, it prompts a reconsideration of initial reports that the towers failed due to unexpected high winds. The fact that the wind speeds were well within the safety margins of the towers' design capabilities suggests that the collapse's causality might not be rooted in design limitations.
Design Wind Speed and Structural Expectations
For structures of paramount importance, like the electricity transmission towers in question, the design wind speed is set at a formidable 48m/s (173km/h). This benchmark underscores the expectation for these towers to endure extreme weather conditions far beyond the recorded
wind speeds at the time of the incident. The disparity between the design criteria and the conditions during the collapse further tilts the scale towards investigating maintenance and operational oversight as potential culprits.
The Maintenance Question
This revelation brings us to a critical juncture: if not a design issue, could maintenance—or the lack thereof— have played a crucial role in this unfortunate outcome? Structures of such importance, expected to withstand the test of time and nature, depend heavily on a regimen of rigorous maintenance. It raises the question of whether the towers received adequate attention and upkeep to address wear and tear, corrosion, or other factors that could compromise structural integrity over time.
Standards and Importance Levels Revisited
The incident underscores the necessity for a comprehensive approach that includes, but is not limited to, design excellence. It highlights the significance of adhering to stringent maintenance schedules in line with AS/NZS 7000 Overhead line design standards and ensuring that structures meet their designated importance levels. For structures of importance level 3 or 4, designed to endure
continued on page 22
for 50 years and withstand extreme wind speeds, maintenance is not just routine; it's critical for disaster prevention and ensuring operational continuity post- disaster.
In a media release of February 16, Energy Safe Victoria announced they would investigate the transmission towers collapse:
Energy Safe Victoria is investigating the factors that contributed to the collapse of six transmission towers at Anakie on 13 February 2024. Our inspectors were on site on 14 February 2024.
We will be investigating AusNet's compliance with its safety obligations, including its inspection and maintenance responsibilities.
Energy Safe’s highest priority is the prevention of harm to the community from the supply and use of energy.
AusNet is accountable for the operations and maintenance of its transmission network in its entirety.
Energy Safe’s role is to ensure that AusNet has appropriate systems in place to do this safely.
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POMONAL BUSHFIRE DESTRUCTION:
CFA CREW SAFE
THE POMONAL BUSHFIRE BURNED THROUGH 2,736 HECTARES. IT WAS MOST LIKELY STARTED BY LIGHTNING STRIKES IN THE SEVERE STORMS THAT HIT THE STATE.
ACFA crew of five from Ballarat’s Eureka Group Strike Team put their training to good use as they experienced a burnover on the Pomonal fireground. The crew arrived in Pomonal, near Grampians National Park, about 4pm on Tuesday, when a wind change occurred soon after.
Ballarat CFA member Jarrod Pegg said the blaze went from slow moving and predictable to increasing in height several metres at a time.
“We were attacking the fire and the rapid change in wind caused a significant fire wall to approach our truck, which came over us while we were still out of the truck,” he said.
“At that point in time I enacted our burnover protocol at CFA, ensured my crew was in the truck safely, then radioed through a mayday call to our strike team leader to inform them of our situation. From there other units from our strike team approached and assisted in our safety.
“We had little time to act to the situation, but were able to get in the truck safely with minimal injuries.”
“Fortunately our training kicked in, we train for this type of activity – we don’t like to see it and hope it never happens, but we still train for it every season.”
Mr Pegg credited his team in facing the situation. “All I had to do was inform my team we were going into a burnover and didn’t have to think twice about what was happening next,” he said.
“Everyone played a part in our protection and safety.”
After receiving medical clearance, the strike team continued fighting fires.
“I’m proud of my crew. They were adamant they wanted to get back to the fire ground as soon as they could,” he said.
“They wanted to continue protecting the community they were there to save and for me, personally, this incident reinforces for volunteers to exist in CFA and continue to support communities during their time of need.”
Source: cfa.vic.gov.au
VICSESVA: HOW
TO GET INVOLVED
DO YOU KNOW WHAT VICSESVA IS AND DOES? ALL UNITS CAN ELECT DELEGATES AND BECOME PART OF AN ACTIVE TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE WORKING TO MAKE THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE MORE EQUITABLE, PRODUCTIVE AND EFFECTIVE.
If you are interested in:
• Furthering the interests of volunteers.
• Ensuring volunteers are valued and respected.
• Building a more effective association of volunteers to work in the sector.
• Improving practices in our agency.
• Developing volunteer skills.
• Becoming more involved in multiagency EM activities.
• Working with colleagues from other Victorian EM agencies
• Working at a national level on issues that affect volunteers.
Then we encourage you to become involved as a VicSESVA delegate from your unit. You do not have to be a Unit Controller or Officer to be a VicSESVA delegate, nor do you need their permission. Any member can put themselves forward as a nominee. Information about VicSESVA and its activities can be found in the members library section of the VicSESVA website:
1. VicSESVA Strategic Plan
Directors
1. The Regional Director attends VicSESVA meetings and brings to the State Board any matters raised at the Regional Council level. If the Regional Director cannot attend, the Alternate Director takes their place.
2. Directors take on additional responsibilities, such as coordinating special VicSESVA projects (such as the Young Emerging Leaders Program, Editor of Phoenix Magazine, Welfare grants, Web page etc.) and also take on Officer positions (such as Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer).
Delegate positions
If you are interested in working for your fellow volunteers, this is the procedure:
1. Delegates must be members of VicSESVA. Units must be financial.
2. Hold a Unit meeting and ask for VicSESVA delegate nominees. Vote on this. Keep minutes of this meeting.
3. Notify the VicSESVA Secretary of the meeting outcome and contact details for the delegate, secretary@ vicsesva.org.au
4. The delegates will be invited to subsequent VicSESVA meetings, at both Regional Council and State levels.
Regional Councils
1. Units form Regional Councils to discuss matters of common interest.
2. The Regional Councils are divided up according to the previous VICSES regions (NE, E, Central E, Central W, Mid W, NW, SW)
3. The Regional Councils elect a Chair and other officer positions
4. The Regional Council elects a Regional Director and an Alternate Director and they take a place on the VicSESVA State Board of Directors. Note: no SES employee may be a Director or Alternate Director.
A QUICK GUIDE
Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association
WHAT IS VicSESVA?
VicSESVA works to represent and advocate for VICSES volunteers, actively supporting members and engaging cooperatively with VICSES management, EM sector agencies and governing bodies, and State Government.
• VicSESVA is a non-profit organisation which exists to further the interests of VICSES volunteer members.
• VicSESVA uses its dedicated focus on volunteers to select and drive the resolution of issues that impact on skills, safety and how VICSES volunteers undertake their duties. It is important to note that VicSESVA is an Association not a Union. VicSESVA does not engage in adversarial campaigns but it does seek to further the interests of VICSES volunteers, and the public they serve, by promoting appropriate standards in training, equipment and ethics in VICSES.
WHO IS VicSESVA?
VicSESVA is wholly staffed by VICSES volunteers who provide their time and expertise gratis and is funded by a small fee from VICSES Units, used to subsidise costs such as publishing, website, minimal office admin support and VA delegates travel. VicSESVA is comprised of all VICSES Units (two delegates may represent each Unit), Regional Councils and a State Board.
VicSESVA’s MISSION
To be pro-active in the pursuit of excellence in service delivery for VicSESVA members and to maintain an effective communication and interaction with all emergency and support agencies.
VicSESVA’s VISION
To ensure that the highest level of skills training is available to the volunteers of VICSES. To ensure that the resources available to volunteers are applicable to the respective operational requirements.
VicSESVA’s STRUCTURE
VicSESVA is broken up into 7 Regions: South West, Central West, Central East, North West, North East, Mid-West and East. Each Region has a Regional Council which seeks input from local Units, meets and discusses the issues identified and selects issues for escalation to the VicSESVA State Board.
Unit Delegates
Each member Unit of VicSESVA may elect two delegates who convey the thoughts and feelings of their Unit and its members to the Regional Council or State Board.
Regional Councils
The elected delegates of the Units from within the region
form their Regional Council. The Regional Councils raise issues relevant to VICSES volunteers to be presented to the VicSESVA State Board for the formulation of policy on the issues they perceive need to be addressed, and to further advocate an outcome with the VICSES CEO or VICSES Board for action.
Regional Council Positions
Each Council may elect members to undertake the following roles:
• President
• Secretary
VicSESVA Board
Director
Alternate Director
The VicSESVA State Board is comprised of Regional Council Directors. Matters raised at Regional Councils are brought to the State Board so that the Board can recognise and monitor any wide ranging issues as they develop. If appropriate, the board will present them to the respective VICSES Management stream for resolution.
VicSESVA Board Positions
• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Board Member
• Board Member
• Board Member
PHOENIX MAGAZINE
VicSESVA publishes the Phoenix Journal for VICSES volunteers. Phoenix is published four times a year and features articles and photos of interest, submitted by volunteers and staff. To register to receive your electronic copy of Phoenix , go to https://vicsesva.org.au/how-tosubscribe/
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
As a VICSES volunteer, you are welcome to participate in a VicSESVA Regional Council. Depending on the region, meetings may be held once a quarter at local Unit LHQs. The discussion is very informative and presents a great opportunity to network and share best practices across Units. VicSESVA Board meetings are also open to individual members to attend.
HISTORY
For more information about the history of VicSESVA, go to https://vicsesva.org.au/our-history/
NSESVA
VicSESVA is a founding member of the National SES Volunteers Association (NSESVA). For information on NSESVA and the National Raffle Campaign, go to: https://vicsesva.org.au/faq/ https://www.nsesva.org.au/
TO VicSESVA
VicSESVA Activities, Advocacy and Industry Influence
SUCCESSFUL ADVOCACY
VicSESVA has successfully represented volunteers in:
• Negotiating to meet regularly with the Minister for Emergency Services
• Advocating for Unit VESEP bids
• Advocating to EMV to retain the right of volunteers to go to VCAT in matters of dispute (VICSES Regulations Review)
• Meeting quarterly with the VICSES Executive and raising matters of concern to volunteers which have been brought to Board meetings
• Meeting quarterly with the VICSES Operations staff
• Supporting and promoting the annual EMV Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey
• Providing grants of funds for individual volunteer welfare or hardship cases
• Supporting members undertaking the VFBV leadership courses
• Providing information and advice to individual members and Units
• Providing a support person to individual members in matters of dispute
• Collaboration with the National SES Volunteers in advocacy for matters such as transferability of skills, harmonisation of training, national recognition, awards
• Implementation of the NSESVA National Raffle Scheme to establish future funding
• Raising the profile and interests of VICSES volunteers at local, state and national forums, including conferences, other EM agencies, interstate agencies, working groups, task forces, expert advisory panels etc.
SECTOR COLLABORATION
VicSESVA has extensive membership of industry forums, regular collaboration with VICSES and influence through its membership of NSESVA, including:
1. EMV Volunteer Consultative Forum, founding member
2. EMV Expert Reference Group, The 3Vs: Volunteer Volunteering Volunteerism – Uncovering the hidden value
3. EMV Expert Working Group, collaboration in developing Strategic Priorities for Volunteering in Emergency Management
4. Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) Chair, Alumni Network
5. Member of Organising Committee, annual ESF Emergency Management Conference
6. Facilitator, ESF Alumni Strategic Directions planning and
‘Valuing Volunteers’ project
7. VESEP panel member (VICSES and EMV)
8. VICSES internal Fleet, RCR, State WH&S, Awards, Uniform working groups
9. VICSES Community Resilience Strategy, volunteer representation
10. AFAC Volunteer Management Technical Working Group
11. AFAC/SES member Project Working Group, ‘SES Fit for Task’
12. AFAC doctrine development ‘Volunteer Impact Assessment Guideline’ (VMTG)
15. Member Steering Committee and Working Group, Communities Responding to Disasters: Planning for Spontaneous Volunteers Handbook (Australian Emergency Management Manual Series 2018)
16. BNHCRC member Advisory Group ‘Adapting the Sector’
17. NSESVA Youth Strategy
18. Volunteer Group Steering Committee, Victorian Government ‘Provisional Payments Pilot (Mental Health Injury)’
EXPERTS AND ADVICE
On request VicSESVA has provided experts as guest speakers, advisors or community representatives. VicSESVA Chair, David Rowlands, is a Life Member of VICSES. VicSESVA Secretary, Dr Faye Bendrups, has been recognised for her work in the EM sector by being named one of the AFR’s ‘100 Women of Influence’ in 2019. This has provided opportunities to promote the work of SES volunteers in major local and national forums, including:
• 2018 Informed Observer, Diversity in Disaster Conference
• 2019 Chair, Akolade 2nd Emergency Management Leaders’ Forum
• 2019 Guest panellist, Public Safety and Hysteria: Leading by example in the first 24 hours of a terrorist event, Akolade 2nd Emergency Management Leaders’ Forum
• 2019 Facilitator, EM conference panel Wellbeing: a Range of Perspectives from People on the Ground
• 2019 Executive Judge, Victorian Regional Achievement and Community Awards
• 2019 Women in the SES: Reshaping Dynamics, AFAC19 ‘A Shift to the New Norm: Riding the Wave of Change’ international conference presentation, see www.afac. com.au/events/proceedings/29-08-19/article/109.women-in-the-sesreshaping-dynamics
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