Phoenix Journal May 2021 by Countrywide Austral

PRODUCED BY AND FOR THE VICTORIAN SES VOLUNTEERS

ISSUE 204 MAY 2021 Printpost Approved PP 100001634

NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE • THE REFUGE PROJECT DENIS BRAIN 50 YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE

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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.

www.vicsesva.org.au 3 4 7

From the Board National Memorial Service Victorian Emergency Services Memorial Artistic enquiry meets emergency services How art intervenes in an emergency Cultural problems and dispute resolution Conduct and Culture Survey for volunteers and staff Chelsea Unit gets a new home

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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

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Send all articles to:

Email: phoenix@vicsesva.org.au

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Letters to the editor If you have a point of view you feel would be of benefit to VicSESVA, or a request for any article which other members may be able to help source, mail it to PHOENIX. If your Unit has a need to publicise an event or Unit activity, send it to PHOENIX.

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Denis Brain 50 years of active service WOW Day VICSES crews deployed to WA Castlemaine Emergency Response Expo Tasmania dog rescue coordinatedn by Beaconsfield mine collapse survivor A Quick Guide to VicSESVA

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VicSESVA STATE BOARD EXECUTIVE & STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Mr David Rowlands

PRESIDENT Dr Faye Bendrups

M: 0423 777 633 E: chair@vicsesva.org.au

M: 0435 964 455 E: fayebendrups@hotmail.com

SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST REGION John McKenzie

TREASURER Sue Davidson E: treasurer@vicsesva.org.au

E: secretary@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR NORTH EAST REGION Mr Chris Brown

DIRECTOR EAST REGION Mr Ray Desem

M: 0417 550 076 E: nerc@vicsesva.org.au

E: erc@vicsesva.org.au

SHOP MANAGER AND TASK FORCE DELEGATE Mr Chris Patton

DIRECTOR NORTH WEST REGION Julie Jochs

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E: nwrc@vicsesva.org.au

M: 0407 310 555 E: shop@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR CENTRAL WEST REGION In progress

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E: mwrc@vicsesva.org.au

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E: cwrc@vicsesva.org.au

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DIRECTOR MID WEST REGION Vacant

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Advertisers Alert 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:

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VICSES PEER SUPPORT Peer Support can be accessed at any time by ringing 1800 899 927 and asking for SES Peer Support (EAS Paging). The Clinical Director can be contacted on mobile 0417 565 927 or by ringing 1800 899 927 (EAS Paging).

COUNTRYWIDE AUSTRAL Level 2, 310 King St, Melbourne GPO Box 2466, Melbourne 3001 Ph: (03) 9937 0200 Fax: (03) 9937 0201 E-mail: admin@cwaustral.com.au ACN: 30 086 202 093

CHAPLAINS CONTACT DETAILS CENTRAL REGION Major Arthur Ford M: 0416 085 634

EAST REGION Rev Judy McLeod M: 0417 347 821

NORTH WEST REGION Rev David Mills M: 0425 708 730

Major Eddy Holman M: 0412 014 557

Disclaimer Countrywide Austral (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (VicSESVA) and the publication is offered for background information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the publisher, its directors and employees. Copyright All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. Advertising Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser.

The data that VicSESVA holds for its members is solely used for the production and distribution of Phoenix and associated products.

WE THANK YOU We would like to sincerely thank all our SES Volunteers for their dedication, hard work and commitment to our local communities.

Hon Michael

O’BRIEN mp

Member for Malvern Leader of the Opposition Leader of the Liberal Party Shadow Minister for Small Business

Tim

SMITH mp

Cindy

McLEISH mp

Member for Kew Shadow Minister for Emergency Services

Member for Eildon Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party

tim.smith@parliament.vic.gov.au

cindy.mcleish@parliament.vic.gov.au

Louise

Hon Kim

michael.obrien@parliament.vic.gov.au

Bridget

VALLENCE mp

STALEY MP

WELLS mp

bridget.vallence@parliament.vic.gov.au

louise.staley@parliament.vic.gov.au

kim.wells@parliament.vic.gov.au

Brad

Hon Wendy

Georgie

Member for Evelyn

ROWSWELL mp

Member for Ripon

LOVELL mp

Member for Rowville

CROZIER mp

Member for Sandringham

Member for Northern Victoria Region

Member for Southern Metropolitan Region

brad.rowswell@parliament.vic.gov.au

wendy.lovell@parliament.vic.gov.au

georgie.crozier@parliament.vic.gov.au

Authorised by Michael O’Brien MP, 313 Waverley Road Malvern East VIC 3145. Funded from Parliamentary Budget.

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from the

BOARD

Be prepared

ow natural is our habit to think ahead, check up on our resource needs, continually review any risks, and get the job done. But as this issue of Phoenix goes to press, we are back in a situation that many were not prepared for (despite all the expert advice): lockdown #4 due to Covid-19. It is exactly one year since the VicSESVA Board wrote in lockdown: “Although we may be in isolation, working from home, schools closed, jobs insecure, SES volunteers remain committed to their objective: providing a skilled operational response to emergencies and supporting the community” (Phoenix issue 199, May 2020). And we are there again. There is no time for complacency in a pandemic, or any emergency. While there are many unknowns and uncertainties, we must adapt and adjust; ensure safety is a priority, learn and enforce the expert health advice on PPE and operations, maintain all our core functions, continue to provide an excellent emergency service and support each other.

“Although we may be in isolation, working from home, schools closed, jobs insecure, SES volunteers remain committed to their objective: providing a skilled operational response to emergencies and supporting the community.”

This edition features some unique stories: see the Refuge Project which has been a 5-year experiment with an unconventional approach to bringing together artists and emergency service responders. Reflect also on the nature of service, and how member Denis Brain has been unfailing during 50 years as an operational volunteer. Take time to think also of those volunteers who have died in service, and their recognition at the AFAC National Memorial Service. Have you visited the Victorian Emergency Service Memorial in

Treasury Gardens? It is a peaceful retreat for quiet contemplation. VicSESVA also publishes an update on the important advocacy it has been conducting for many months – on the issues of conduct and culture in the service and the sector, and how we can work together to improve the volunteer experience. There are more stories of volunteer achievements: Castlemaine, Chelsea, deployment to WA, Tasmania, and WOW day. Enjoy this edition and stay covid-safe; do not allow complacency to overtake preparedness.

Chairperson chair@vicsesva.org.au

Phoenix Editor phoenix@vicsesva.org.au

North East Regional Council nerc@vicsesva.org.au

Treasurer treasurer@vicsesva.org.au

South West Regional Council swrc@vicsesva.org.au

East Regional Council erc@vicsesva.org.au

Secretary secretary@vicsesva.org.au

Mid-West Regional Council mwrc@vicsesva.org.au

Central East Regional Council cerc@vicsesva.org.au

Volunteer Shop shop@vicsesva.org.au

North West Regional Council nwrc@vicsesva.org.au

Central West Regional Council cwrc@vicsesva.org.au

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FEATURE

NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE Canberra, 14 May 2021 THE 2021 AFAC NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS WHO DIED WHILE IN SERVICE TOOK PLACE ON THE SHORES OF LAKE BURLEY GRIFFIN IN CANBERRA ON 14 MAY 2021. Photos by Dave Tunbridge

t was an especially welcome occasion as the 2020 service had been cancelled due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. The service was recorded and can be viewed online at https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=ZvD9xEfSsfM The memorial wall can be viewed on the AFAC website: https://memorial.afac. com.au/ SES volunteers were represented at the service by their national association, NSESVA (see www.nsesva.org.au). The Chair of NSESVA, Gordon Hall, ESM, laid a wreath to honour those volunteers who have died. VICSES volunteers were represented by

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David Rowlands, Chair VICSESVA and Faye Bendrups, President VICSESVA. The National Emergency Services Memorial was opened in July 2004 by Prime Minister John Howard, in honour of the thousands of people who have served in Australia’s emergency services organisations. Emergency services is used as a collective description for a wide range of services provided by agencies during incidents and emergencies, and includes career and volunteer workers. In May 2018, a Memorial Wall was unveiled at the site by The Hon. Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Law Enforcement

and Cyber Security. The wall displays the names of emergency services personnel who have been killed in the line of duty, and honours their commitment to keeping our communities safe. The wall was jointly funded by the Commonwealth of Australia and AFAC, the National Council for fire and emergency services in Australia and New Zealand. The Memorial provides a place for remembrance and quiet reflection for families, colleagues and visitors. An annual service is held at the Memorial in early May each year to remember those who have died in the line of duty. vicsesva.org.au

NSESVA Chair Gordon Hall ESM and CAVFA representative lay a wreath on behalf of all volunteers.

His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (ret’d), Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, gives the Official Address.

vicsesva.org.au

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VICTORIAN EMERGENCY SERVICES MEMORIAL Treasury Gardens, Melbourne

DID YOU KNOW THAT VICTORIA HAS ITS OWN DEDICATED MEMORIAL FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE WORKERS? Images: Rush/Wright Associates and John Gollings

t is situated in Treasury Gardens, below the rear of the Victorian parliamentary offices. Following the tragic Ash Wednesday fires of 1983, CFA established a Memorial Wall dedicated to all the men and women of CFA who lost their lives while serving their communities. Construction of the Memorial Wall at the former CFA Training College at Fiskville was completed in December 1986. It was officially opened by the Premier of Victoria on 12 April 1987. When Fiskville was closed in 2015, a Memorial Committee was formed to oversee the establishment of a new firefighters’ memorial. The Committee worked closely with the affected families to find the best possible location and outcome for everyone. In 2018, the Minister for Emergency Services announced a new Victorian Emergency Services Memorial to honour fallen members from CFA, MFB, VICSES, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV), Ambulance Victoria, Life Saving Victoria and Marine Search and Rescue vicsesva.org.au

(MSAR), to be located at the Treasury Gardens in Melbourne’s CBD. Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the memorial would be a special place for so many people in many different ways. “It will be a place for families to come with quiet contemplation with remembrance and reflection,” he said. “Similarly, for the broader Victorian community and visitors, to respect and pay respects to those Victorians, career and volunteer, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in keeping Victorians safe.

“It’s a place that we can come together as emergency services. We talk about working as one, but this is a place where we can also remember as one.” Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville joined representatives from emergency service agencies to turn the first sod on the project in Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens on 3 June 2019. The State Government invested $2.3 million in developing, designing and building the memorial. The emergency service agencies have also worked very closely with the City of Melbourne and Heritage Victoria to finalise a preferred concept design for the site. The site for the memorial at Treasury Gardens is centrally located, quiet and peaceful, accessible by public transport and has disability friendly access. It gives emergency services personnel, affected families and the Victorian community a place to remember the 177 people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their dedication to keeping others safe. May 2021

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MASS MOVEMENT by Latai Taumoepeau, photo by Teresa Tan.

Refuge 2021

ARTISTIC ENQUIRY MEETS EMERGENCY SERVICES THE NORTH MELBOURNE ARTSHOUSE HAS HOSTED THE REFUGE PROJECT FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS. THEIR WEBSITE EXPLAINS. https://www.artshouse.com.au/ourprograms/refuge/

efuge drops us in the hot zone of different climate-related disasters. Flood, heat, pandemic and displacement: this five-year project offers us new ways to rally as a community and prepare for climatic events. Refuge brings together people who might not normally collaborate in a crisis, including local residents, artists, scientists, Elders and experts from the world of emergency services. Their task is to identify what matters when the unthinkable becomes real: what being prepared means in the face of disaster, how the survival of the individual is inextricably bound up with the survival of community, and what role we can each play if the worst comes to pass. Refuge promotes new ways to ground equity, access, dignity and hope in our response to catastrophe through a creative approach. In 2016, we imagined a local flood and transformed the North Melbourne Town Hall into a relief centre for 24 hours. In 2017, we envisaged the increasing possibility of five consecutive days over 40°C. In 2018, we examined a pandemic event and what happens when the risk

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Displacement: Mass Movement.

of contagion means you would never bring people together. In 2019, we examined displacement prompted by climate crisis. The final Refuge in 2021 (2020 was cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic) explored the confluence of multiple climate crises and asks: how can we share resources equally in times of hardship when the worst comes to pass? Taking the lead from artist Latai Taumoepeau, the fifth Refuge explored displacement as a humanitarian crisis and directed our focus towards culture, spirituality, relationships and ritual. VICSES Footscray Unit has been a major partner of the Refuge project for

the entirety of the project. In 2021 they worked with Latai’s project Mass Movement in a symbolic walk, a mass gathering, and a multi-day workshop that involved local communities in experimenting with the construction of temporary shelters: Portage: Shelter2camp. Refuge is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts and funding and advisory body, Emergency Management Victoria, State Emergency Services Footscray Unit, Resilient Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Red Cross Australia, St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre, Creative Recovery Network, The Peter Doherty Centre and The City of Melbourne through Arts House. In 2017 and 2018 Refuge was supported with funding provided by the Australian Government in partnership with the States and Territories under the National Partnership Agreement for National Disaster Resilience and the Victorian Government through the Natural Disaster Resilience Grants Scheme (NDRGS). In 2017 Refuge was supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria. vicsesva.org.au

Portage participants, working with CALD communities to build temporary traditional shelters.

Portage: Shelter2Camp As part of her multi-year Portage project, Jen Rae and First Nations master weavers Vicki Couzens, Vicki Kinai, Bronwyn Razem and Muhubo Sulieman invited participants to learn the skills of handbuilding, knot-tying, binding and grass weaving to come up with imaginative and practical shelter-making solutions in the climate emergency. Portage is the act of carrying a vessel over land between navigable waters. Each element of Rae’s multi-platform Portage series explores the ways in which communication, community and care are central to the notion of survival.

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The Refuge Project:

HOW ART INTERVENES IN AN EMERGENCY By David Pledger Written by artist and curator David Pledger for the Refuge Publication Project commissioned by Arts House in partnership with the Research Unit of Public Cultures, University of Melbourne. First published online in the journal Arts Hub on May 3, 2021.

AN ARTISTIC INQUIRY INTO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS IS IN ITS LAST DAYS AND DAVID PLEDGER THINKS IT HAS MUCH TO TELL US ABOUT HOW EMERGENCY SERVICES CAN BENEFIT FROM THE INVOLVEMENT OF ARTISTS. 1,760 days ago, the first annual edition of Arts House’s Refuge was delivered into the public domain; its final edition concludes this month on 16 May. A consequence of a decade of work by then-Artistic Director at Arts House, Angharad Wynne-Jones, Tipping Point Australia and the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), the passage of time is integral to its story. In the many days since 2016, the disaster scenarios of flood, heatwave, pandemic and displacement – created as programming frames for Refuge – have evolved from science fiction into real-world events. In each year, one can identify artistic elements, preparedness strategies and modes of thinking that simultaneously operate as warning and instruction for our year of 2020 and going forward. Conceived as an artistic inquiry into disaster-preparedness with first responders from emergency services, thinkers and cultural leaders, Refuge has generated significant bodies of work by core artists Latai Taumoepeau, Jen Rae, Lorna Hannan, Kate Sulan and Harry Lee Shang Lun and a cohort of artistic associates who have prosecuted ideas in an annual program of residencies, a laboratory and public events set, in the first three years, within an emergency exercise simulation. From the outset, the intention of the program was to be artist-led and First

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Nations-centred: Taungurung Elder Uncle Larry Walsh, Boon Wurrung Elder N’arweet Carolyn Briggs and Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Dave Wandin have provided constant stewardship. This sits within a curatorial approach that is shared, distributed and avowedly undefined; it is both highly porous and rigorously protected. Various staff at Arts House have cared for the

“Refuge is prescient; it has told and tells the future.” program over the years including producers Tara Prowse and Sarah Rowbottam, general managers Catherine Jones and Sophie Travers, and since Angharad’s departure, artistic directors Josh Wright and now Emily Sexton who describes her approach as ‘not wanting to direct, shape or curate but to hold for a time’. Refuge is an unusual animal in Australia’s cultural landscape. It is not a season of work, a subscription event or a one-off project. It’s a program planned over six years with a curatorial trajectory

that asks a set of questions looking not for answers but a better set of questions. It simultaneously occupies the space of resistance and proposition. Refuge is prescient; it has told and tells the future. It has an artistic rigour, curatorial openness and administrators who had the courage to demand yearslong commitment to inquiry; it represents a notable disruption to the conventions that govern Australian arts programming. For these reasons, Refuge is distinctive in this space both nationally and internationally. A defining feature is the commitment to involve people from outside the arts particularly in the management of emergency services. The early discovery that North Melbourne Town Hall (NMTH) was a designated Emergency Relief Centre (ERC) arose out of conversations between Tara Prowse and the City of Melbourne’s Emergency Management Co‑ordinator, Christine Drummond. Through Drummond, the Arts House team were also introduced to a range of services including State Emergency Services, Red Cross, Resilient Melbourne and Emergency Management Victoria. Representatives from these agencies became key players in the progress of the program and the development of artistic works primarily through their involvement in the annual vicsesva.org.au

Lab program which brought together all stakeholders for brain-dancing sessions in a collaborative, collective format. For many, the Lab is the essence of Refuge. Steve Cameron is the Manager of Community and Volunteer Development for Victoria’s peak emergency services body, Emergency Management Victoria (EMV). In 2013, he started working with a range of communities and supporting organisations to develop the Community-based Emergency Management (CBEM) Approach – published by EMV in 2016 – as a guide for them to better connect and work together before, during and after emergencies. At the first Lab, he described the CBEM approach to the assembled stakeholders to which Lorna Hannan, leading a chorus of artists, said, ‘Oh we do all our projects like that.’ In time, Steve came to understand that Refuge was an exemplar of the CBEM approach, what arts folk refer to as a ‘structured improvisation’. Reinforcing the value of genuinely developed local processes, he pushed back on any desire to create an ongoing set of protocols. ‘Please do not create a template of how we did it last year (as this creates) structures and templates that won’t work (in new situations): there are too many variables and challenges in any disaster,’cautioned Cameron in the Refuge 2017 Evaluation. He is currently working with key stakeholders to develop a new model for collaborative, community-led resilience to build upon CBEM and the experience of Refuge along with other research examples at home and abroad. Volunteering is central to the operation of Victoria’s State Emergency Services (SES). As Controller for the SES Unit in Footscray from 2012-2020, Faye Bendrups brought along to Refuge those members of her team who happened to be rostered on over the weekends that NMTH was transformed into an ERC. It was important they approached the program as necessary training in the same way that they might approach boat rescue or the removal of

Authorised by Helen Hines 117 Murphy Street Wangaratta VIC, 3677

vicsesva.org.au

dangerous debris; they were also drafted into Latai Taumoepeau’s work Human Generator 57. Along with her now-deputy responsibilities at Footscray, Bendrups is President of the SES Volunteers Association, and leads a double life as a well-known performer, theatre director and academic. Unsurprisingly, her ability to read the artistic elements and dramaturgical intentions of Refuge is sophisticated, as is her capacity to integrate learnings

‘I think Refuge is way ahead of its time. I think it should be the exemplar for many other communities and groups to use.” – Faye Bendrups

at a grassroots level. Refuge shares a philosophical empathy with the way in which Faye managed her unit; she promoted inclusion and attributed equal value to the ‘heroic’ tasks of chainsaw operation and the ‘softer’ tasks of community engagement. According to Bendrups, ‘Refuge can become the sort of catalyst for translating something that’s already kind of bubbling away there into something very specific, like we have done with all of our safety games and our safety engagement tools and so forth… I think Refuge is way ahead of its time. I think it should be the exemplar for many other communities and groups to use.’ In her job at City of Melbourne, Christine Drummond organises a yearly

‘rehearsal’ of emergency management exercises. In the same year Refuge turned NMTH into an emergency relief centre for a pandemic scenario, Drummond ran Exercise Contagion with the relevant emergency services. Not so much a coincidence, as Refuge scenarios had been drafted from Council’s Emergency Management Plan. This blurring of fact and fiction is key to the program’s value. In 2016, then Emergency Management Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, attended Flood. Kate Sulan’s Nest asked children to drop letters and messages of hope to adults into a letterbox. Drummond remembers saying to him it was the first time she’d heard children laughing in an ERC. Her experience of Refuge has re-calibrated Council’s approach. It’s reinforced the importance of connection with community and privileging what the community needs and wants; it’s refined thinking around each incident having a different needs-profile so not to overplan, and finally, seriously entertaining the idea of calling on artists, especially in the event of a protracted situation and even integrating them into Council’s new Emergency Management Plan. For emergency services personnel, at its heart Refuge exposes an urgent need to prepare Australians for emergency situations that have started to cascade into each other, as we’ve experienced these last 18 months. In 2019, Damien Moloney from Red Cross, a strong advocate for Refuge told Radio National, ‘People who are prepared for an emergency recover better from emergency and they respond better to an emergency.’ Preparedness directly impacts on social wellbeing, economic recovery and cultural health. Refuge is testament to the fact that the integration of arts in emergency management protocols, processes and thinking, and a broader experience of artistic practices across the sector can bring profound benefits to the management of emergencies we will certainly face in the future.

I’m so proud and grateful for our local SES workers and volunteers. For keeping us safe through ﬂoods and ﬁres. On our worst days and every day. We thank you. 117 Murphy Street Wangaratta VIC 3677 79 High Street Wodonga VIC 3689

helenhaines.org @helenhainesindi helen.haines.mp@aph.gov.au

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VicSESVA Discussion Paper

EM Volunteer Organisations:

CULTURAL PROBLEMS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION The matters addressed in this Discussion Paper reflect the position of VicSESVA. This paper was presented to the EMV Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF) for broad sectorwide discussion. VicSESVA raised these issues at meetings VicSESVA had with VICSES in the first half of 2021; continued its advocacy by providing VICSES with professional expert contacts on the principles of Restorative Engagement from the Centre for Innovative Justice; and is conducting the first survey ‘Conduct and Culture Survey for Volunteers and Staff’ (May/June 2021). Cultural Problems and Dispute Resolution Includes culture and behaviour, bullying, sexual harassment, grievance, misconduct policies and procedures, etc. This paper does not differentiate between women, men, nonbinary, volunteers or staff; the problem may affect anyone, but the paper will consider the perspectives of volunteers first. Background Volunteers working in the EM sector report instances of sexual harassment, bullying, and associated issues of culture and poor behaviour. Agency processes and procedures may not be effective or perceived as fair, many volunteers find them unsatisfactory, inequitable or even that they cause vicarious stress or trauma. Sometimes volunteers report that going through the agency process was worse than the original issue complained about. It is unsurprising that EM workers report that they experience unacceptable behaviours in their workplace, as they are part of the broader community which itself is now demanding action against entrenched discriminatory or damaging practices; enough is enough. Examples most recently profiled in news and other media include the allegations of rape in Federal Parliament by Brittiny Higgins, the historic allegation of rape against Attorney- General Christian Porter, the widely-shared experiences of Australian of the Year Grace Tame, and the women’s ‘March 4 Justice’ events nationwide (15/03/21). Communities are calling upon politicians and leaders to listen and take steps to improve culture and systems that have not adequately served victims.

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There is recent media coverage of cases within the emergency services, see for example: • 20/03/21 The Age: CFA probe ‘told drop bullying complaints’ • 18/03/21 ABC news: NSW RFS sued for damages after female volunteer groped by deputy captain • 18/03/21 ABC news: NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers refers sexual and physical assault allegations within ranks to police • 18/03/21 The Age: Offensive videos hit the heart of CFA • 13/03/21 The Age: CFA rocked by bullying, sex assault allegations • 13/03/21 CFA internal email: Update from the CEO and Chief Officer These recent examples come after VHREOC enquiries into VICPOL, CFA (not released because of UFU legal action), and AV. This is not a new issue; it has been discussed for decades, but many perceive that no effective action has resulted in improvements. This issue is not limited to Victoria; EM agencies around the jurisdictions have similar examples, and national bodies like the NSESVA are working on approaches for advocacy. The questions arise: 1. What is the extent of cultural problems in the sector? 2. How effective and equitable are existing agency practices dealing with these? 3. Is there a better system? 4. Are there specific EM characteristics or demands that exacerbate or cause cultural problems? 5. Are there measures that might mitigate these? 6. What are the consequences for not acting now?

Who can be involved in leading a solutions-focussed approach? Diverse voices can make a profound impact on perspectives and inspire more equitable solutions. Volunteers who have been involved in a dispute/grievance process and their representative organisations can play a large part in determining solutions and developing best practices. Other stakeholders may include HR managers, middle level managers, researchers (e.g. BNHCRC etc.), AFAC’s VMTG. Success stories might be learnt from business or corporate entities, or EM organisations which have already gone through an enquiry process and have made meaningful and measurable changes. VicSESVA suggests the VCF is one of the most experienced and informed groups which can contribute to this subject and to a solutions-focussed approach. The issue affects sector capability, recruitment, retention, member welfare, workplace practices, and more. VicSESVA contends that the issue is precisely the type that the VCF was set up to consider and support. Given the high community awareness of the issue, the reputational damage to the sector and the need for change, if we don’t, who will? And if not now, then when? • The VCF is already constituted with strong networks and collaborations. • The VCF is a forum of professional SMEs, many of whom are currently, or have been, volunteers and whose experience covers multiple organisations. • Those VCF members of organisations where few disputes or cultural problems occur may have sound advice to share on people management, inclusion and equity. vicsesva.org.au

•

VCF members of organisations which represent volunteers will have case studies to present from the viewpoint of the volunteer, providing an accurate picture of their experiences. They will be able to convey the voice of the volunteer. VCF members who are staff from EM agencies will have a institutional or regulatory perspective to add.

1. What is the extent of cultural problems in the sector? The extent of cultural problems is unknown. Volunteers often choose to leave their respective agency rather than continue an ordeal which is causing them harm. There may be no measuring of harm caused by a mental injury, even though these may be critical incidents. While there is an large amount of WHS data quantifying insignificant vehicle scratches and dents, trips and falls in the office, or minor bruising, there may be no mechanism for assessing mental injury. While the scale of the problem is unknown, it is not unbelievable. Anecdotally, dozens of cases are brought to volunteer leaders each year. Some are dealt with through official processes; many are not, as the trauma of dealing with the agency is not worth it. There are instances where an agency process is tardy and does not work within its own designated procedures and regulations, leading to a failure of the case and further mental harm to the victim or subject of the case. Volunteers may be left out of pocket with medical, counselling, psychologist costs because they do not wish to pursue Workcover claims as they cannot face further trauma (and it is not their paid employment). VicSESVA, for example, has heard from members in recent months who are talking about self-harm and suicidal ideation. Many may live with the consequences of their experience for years. A first step might be to introduce, as a matter of urgency, a mechanism for measuring the scale of the problem. This could be conducted by individual agencies and coordinated across the sector. Options may include multiple approaches, such as: • An anonymous survey, conducted by an outside, objective third party • A Bullying and Harassment hotline (cf. CFA) • An open forum for people to tell their stories and be heard • A summit of stakeholders 2. How effective and equitable are existing agency practices dealing with these cultural problems? • Reports from volunteers suggest that many find the processes unsatisfactory, unfair and often, damaging. vicsesva.org.au

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There may be confusing or hard to find agency information on process, with no clear pathway and no guidance given. Even when the process seems logical, it is not always followed. Practices may not be aligned with contemporary expectations. Many feel they become the target of the agency, they experience the process as secondary bullying or a blame-thevictim approach. There may be ingrained unconscious bias (whether regarding gender, social status, cultural background, etc.)

3. Is there a better system? It is clear that community expectations now seem to favour independent investigation, mediation or arbitration for cultural problems. People want transparency and fairness and that victims are listened to effectively. It is time for innovative thinking. For example, VicSESVA has proposed to VICSES that a process should be trialled handled by an independent entity and based on principles of restorative engagement. VicSESVA has engaged with the Centre for Innovative Justice at RMIT regarding this. Our hope is that these talks will result in a pilot case/s. It might be that the Centre could be involved in broader discussions for a sectorwide approach. If a pilot or trial is successful and leads to wider implementation, this could be seen as an exemplar for other jurisdictions. 4. Are there specific EM characteristics or demands that exacerbate or cause cultural problems? a. volunteer based There is no doubt that a system where 87% of workers are volunteers will have significant challenges. So, the importance of working to understand volunteers rather than treating them like paid staff should be clear. If it isn’t, there have been decades of research and reports that have highlighted this point, from government white papers and Royal Commissions, to scholarly research and volunteer surveys. b. structure The historic roots of Australia’s EM sector –based on military structures from Civil Defence times- is also part of the problem. The ‘chain of command’ cannot be the answer to the problems that are presented. The ADF understands this, it is time for the EM sector to catch up. c. male dominated Because of those historic roots, the sector is also male dominated, with countless examples, small and large, of discrimination

against women (and LGBTIQ+) members, of inbuilt bias that does not advance women into leadership, of a lack of diversity, and serious sexual harassment allegations. The community, business and other sectors understand the value of bringing women into leadership and the data demonstrates the increased profitability, increased diversity and improved workplace relations that result. d. workload The next big issue identified by volunteers is the growing amount of work volunteers are expected to do, driving many of them out. Government funding has not kept pace with the frequency and intensity of EM response work, and more and more work is being shifted from staff to volunteers. No amount of agency blurbs about adaptable, peoplefocused, innovation and flexibility can obscure the fact of volunteer overload and burnout, especially those in volunteer leadership positions. This is regressive practice and not preparing Australia for the future, considering the ageing volunteer workforce and the reluctance of younger generations to put up with the ‘system’ they encounter. 5. Are there measures that might mitigate these (characteristics/ demands)? VicSESVA has listened to our volunteers, and the following are some of the ideas that have been proposed: • More women into leadership positions – with mentoring and support, not left to sink or swim • More women recruited, with childcare, or other provisions to make volunteering accessible to them • More funding for volunteer support staff, who actually take on some of the workload of volunteers, not of staff • Not wasting volunteers’ time, such as sending them on deployments when they are not needed. Although this may look good ‘on the books’ in terms of operational readiness, it disrespects volunteers and their time, and is costly • More meaningful collaborative consultation with volunteers (not lip service) There has also been extensive discussion around having a systematic sector-wide approach to recruitment and training. Some barriers: • Recruitment happens in an ad hoc way, in random time periods • Recruits are trained within unpredictable timeframes (many by other volunteers who are overloaded) • They are expected to complete numerous online training modules on culture and behaviour – none of which change culture and behaviour May 2021

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Then they continue seeking further training which is not guaranteed, which may mean they develop limited skills for 12-18 months or more, or They are required to undertake training for skills that already have

Training: EM Institute The sector has periodically discussed the idea of a dedicated EM training institute (VEMI is surely ready and waiting), with regular courses which people can attend, with a mix of virtual and face to face training, so they are educated on agency expectations and standards, on skills and culture, and are operationally ready before joining their Unit/Brigade/ Team. For many years, the VFBV provided excellent scholarships for volunteers to gain a qualification in Cert IV Frontline Management – eagerly competed for by volunteers, who want to learn and develop. A dedicated course can: • teach new intakes together at the same time • teach people in a defined timeframe so they are operationally ready faster • teach and instil values and ethics

• • • • •

train all the basic skills like First Aid, WHS, and for example, for SES – fundamental skills and general rescue conduct joint training for multiple services, building common skills, culture and camaraderie increase the professionalisation of volunteers provide portable skills relieve the agencies of RTO burden (financial as well as administrative)

6. What are the consequences for not acting now? The signs are out there: • Volunteer churn • Lower skills and experience level • Less diversity • More complaints • More bullying and behaviour issues • Less satisfaction of volunteers with their agency • Unwillingness to be deployed in large scale events • Reluctance to take on volunteer leadership roles • Decline in volunteer numbers and capacity

Conclusion To reiterate some key proposals: • Conduct surveys to establish the extent of bullying, sexual harassment, poor behaviour across the agencies • Involve the volunteers in meaningful way in solutions • Complaints procedure should be independent of the agencies and based on principles which focus on the welfare of volunteers e.g. restorative engagement principles • Cultural change cannot come by waiting: establish targets and quotas for gender equity, e.g. NSESVA proposed at the AFAC19 conference that the sector should aim to be 40-40-20 by 2025 • Conduct listening forums of key stakeholders • Hold the agencies accountable; change must be meaningful and measurable

I want to thank every single SES volunteer in Victoria. In the past year, you have risen to the challenge of the pandemic and have made contributions that inspire us all. From delivering food to residents in lockdown to assisting at testing locations, your support has been essential. Victorians will never forget your selfless contributions that have made our state a better place. Thank you.

– john

John Eren MP STATE MEMBER FOR LARA

E: john.eren@parliament.vic.gov.au P: 03 5275 3898 johnerenmp Funded from Parliamentary budget.

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CONDUCT AND CULTURE SURVEY FOR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF Background After extensive discussions with volunteers and staff in 2020-2021, VicSESVA worked with individuals and groups to gain greater understanding of issues of conduct and culture in the service. VicSESVA then strongly and actively advocated (and continues to advocate) in every possible forum for these issues to be addressed and for meaningful cultural change to be implemented in VICSES and in the sector. VicSESVA has contacted and discussed these issues with ministerial offices of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, the Minister for Workplace Safety; with VHREOC, Phoenix Australia, the Centre for Innovative Justice, Justice Connect, EMV’s Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF); with the VICSES Board, VICSES Executive, VICSES staff; and with other EM agency representatives. Progress seems to be in train. VICSES has engaged a consultant to enquire into workplace culture. VicSESVA has introduced the VICSES Executive to key experts from the Centre for Innovative Justice – who engage with government and business to educate and implement processes of restorative Justice (see https://cij.org.au/ opencircle/what-is-restorative-justice/). In May 2021 VicSESVA rolled out the first survey on Conduct and Culture – for both volunteers and staff, current or former, i.e. it includes any who have left the service. This is the first time such a survey has been run, and we anticipate it will provide meaningful data which can be used as evidence for change. The survey was due to close on June 4, but has been extended to 25 June. We encourage all volunteers and staff to complete the survey; it is for the benefit of all of us. If you did not received the email invitation about the survey, please contact the VicSESVA secretary, at secretary@vicsesva.org.au. The explanation of the survey, with FAQs and definitions of terminology follows. If any of this subject matter causes distress or trauma, please seek help. VicSESVA may also be able to offer support for you to seek professional advice; please contact us via the VicSESVA secretary if needed. Find help • Lifeline 13 11 14 • Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 • Phoenix Australia https://www. phoenixaustralia.org/recovery/find-help/ The Survey Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination, Misconduct etc. in VICSES While serving as a VICSES volunteer or staff member, have you experienced or been exposed to issues such as bullying, sexual vicsesva.org.au

harassment, discrimination, poor behaviour, cultural problems, unsatisfactory dispute outcomes or misconduct processes? You may have been the target of bullying, or you may have witnessed bullying against someone else. You may have been the subject of a complaint, or have been the complainant. You may have been a witness or a whistleblower, or reported something that happened to someone else. We want to hear about what happened. This survey is anonymous. It is divided into various sections. It will take around 20 minutes to complete. You may answer all questions that are relevant to your circumstances. There may be more than one answer you wish to give; tick all that are applicable to you. There are text boxes for adding any additional statements. The survey will close on 25 June. We encourage you to complete the survey now, to have your voice heard. Please share this and forward to any of your colleagues who may like to complete the survey (even if they have left VICSES). Survey Themes 1. Experiences of bullying, harassment, discrimination, misconduct etc. 2. Evidence 3. Action taken 4. Investigation process 5. Your mental health 6. Workplace culture 7. Additional comments FAQs Why this survey, now? VICSES is currently reviewing its regulations; this survey may provide relevant and timely information on how internal culture, behaviour, misconduct processes and dispute resolution is currently experienced by volunteers and staff. Who can complete this survey? Any currently serving VICSES volunteer or staff member, or any past volunteer or staff member. Will VICSES know who I am? No, the survey is completely anonymous and no identifying details will be collated or disclosed. Participants can provide frank and honest responses without fear of reprisals. Who is running this survey? This survey has been commissioned by VicSESVA volunteers and staff after multiple requests from their members. The survey seeks to hear directly from volunteers and staff about their experiences, in order to advocate for improvements. Definitions (general understandings) Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through actions intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the target.

Workplace bullying is verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by your employer or manager, another person or group of people at work. Workplace bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety. Unreasonable behaviour does not include reasonable management action, such as discussions about work performance, as long as they are taken in a reasonable way. Harassment is unwanted behaviour that intimidates, offends or humiliates a person. It may target personal characteristics such as race, age, gender, disability, religion or sexuality. Harassment may be persistent or an isolated incident. It can include being sworn or yelled at in the workplace, being threatened or even physically assaulted. NOTE: bullying is repeated, whereas harassment can be experienced in a single incident. Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, where that reaction is reasonable in the circumstances. It can include unwelcome hugging, kissing or other types of inappropriate physical contact, staring or leering, intrusive questions about your private life or physical appearance, unwanted invitations to go out on dates, requests for sex, or sexually explicit emails, calls, text messages or online interactions. Sexual harassment includes behaviour that makes the environment you are working in uncomfortable or threatening in a sexually hostile way, such as sexually offensive pictures or a culture of suggestive comments or jokes. Coercive control is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. Misconduct is any other form of inappropriate behaviour between or towards individuals which contravenes the values and codes of conduct of the organisation. Discrimination is treating a person or group of people less favourably because of their characteristics, such as age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Line manager or supervisor: if you are a staff member, you will be aware who your line manager is. For volunteers, your ‘line manager’ or direct supervisor may be your Controller or Deputy Controller. For Controllers, your Line Manager is the Regional Manager. Worker: for the purposes of this survey, both volunteers and paid staff are all considered ‘workers’ in VICSES, if no other differentiation is given. Similarly, the SES ‘workplace’ is wherever work is conducted for paid employees (e.g. offices), or volunteers (e.g. the Unit LHQ or any other location where work is carried out). May 2021

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Dear SES team, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to pay tribute to one of our community’s most loved and appreciated volunteer organisations. We are grateful for your constant support to our entire community. Keep it up. Yours sincerely,

Senator

KIMBERLEY KITCHING Senator for Victoria

Thank you to all SES volunteers for your tireless contribution and dedication to the Victorian community. We couldn’t be more proud and grateful. Tenancy 3, 6 English Street, Essendon Fields VIC 3041 P: 03 9374 1640 E: senator.kitching@aph.gov.au www.kimberleykitching.com.au

From one volunteer to so many others

Thank you.

Tania Maxwell MP Member for Northern Victoria Derryn Hinch's Justice Party taniamaxwell.com.au | 03 4700 1787 tania.maxwell@parliament.vic.gov.au

Authorised by Senator K Kitching, ALP, Tenancy 3, 6 English Street, Essendon Fields VIC 3041

Authorised by Tania Maxwell MP 2 / 27-29 Faithfull St Wangaratta 3677 Funded from the Parliamentary Budget

CHELSEA UNIT GETS A NEW HOME ONE OF VICSES’ LONGEST-RUNNING UNITS WILL SOON SEE A BRAND NEW HOME, THANKS TO A LARGE GOVERNMENT GRANT.

stablished in 1953, the Chelsea unit operates out of Bonbeach Reserve, and currently sports 58 active volunteers. They will soon benefit from a $7 million grant from the Andrews government’s, which will allow the Chelsea unit to move to a converted warehouse at 13 Ashley Park Drive, Chelsea Heights. The new facility will boast a six-bay drive-through motor room, additional storage for boats and equipment, as well as recently upgraded infrastructure. It will also enable volunteers to assist in a wider area, taking in two thirds of the Kingston LGA, including part of Port Phillip Bay. It follows a very busy period at the unit, with members responding to 325 requests for assistance in the last financial year – taking in floods, responses to fallen trees, damage to property, search-and-rescue operations, and more. Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson says the funding comes at a good time. vicsesva.org.au

“VICSES Chelsea is one of our longest serving units and it’s important that volunteers have the space and resources they need to effectively respond to incidents and support Victoria Police and other emergency services.” “VICSES Chelsea is one of our longest serving units and it’s important that volunteers have the space and resources they need to effectively respond to incidents and support Victoria Police and other emergency services,” he said. This is mirrored by Parliamentary Secretary for Police and Emergency Services Paul Edbrooke.

“We’re continually looking at ways we can better support our current and future volunteers – ensuring they receive the training and facilities they need to do their job,” he said. Construction on the new facilities at Chelsea Heights begins in winter, and is scheduled for completion by the end of December, 2021. May 2021

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DENIS BRAIN

50 YEARS OF ACTIVE SERVICE Photo journalism by Jen Chivilo

“Denis, you are a legend! Thank you for everything you have done for the Unit and for the community, and for being a role model, a mentor and a friend”

Denis Brain, Civil Defence membership card, 1972.

n 4 May 2021, Denis Brain completed 50 years of continuous active service with Footscray Civil Defence and VICSES Footscray. His colleagues threw a surprise party at the LHQ to celebrate his achievement, past members came to congratulate him, a special cake was provided by his family, and Controller Anthony Radl presented him with a commemorative plaque. Denis is a Life Member of SES, has held all leadership positions during his 50 years service except that of Controller, is a respected trainer and mentor to generations of volunteers, an expert coxswain, and a pumping engineer by profession. Denis was a special guest at the annual church service at St Johns Anglican Church Footscray on 16 May 2021, to celebrate National Volunteering Week. Churchwarden David Palmer wrote: “Thank you so much for your significant contribution to our annual church service, yesterday morning, dedicated to “National Volunteer Week 2021”. You were wonderful.

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The service was live-streamed and viewed by several fellow Community Volunteers and church members, who were unable to join us in person, that enjoyed your reflections on Volunteering as much as we did. Your speech was both inspiring and educative, particularly for some of our younger parishioners, and will long be remembered. I’m particularly impressed and appreciative for your dedication to service as a volunteer for Civil Defence and the SES for over 50 years. What a wonderful lifelong milestone achievement!!! Following the success of this years’ service, we have committed to continue to recognise this important week annually to acknowledge the efforts and importance of volunteers, such as yourself, in building a stronger and more cohesive community and critically responding to social and economic challenges and natural disasters within the City of Maribyrnong”. The pictures tell the story…

Denis Brain, radio operator during the 1967 Tasmanian bushfires.

Teaching tripod lashings, Civil Defence, 1971. vicsesva.org.au

Training in bush rescue.

Vertical rescue training.

Denis’ first truck.

Denis and his dog ‘Teddy’, the Unit mascot, Pride March.

Denis and Teddy with CFA juniors, Moomba parade.

Denis in his original uniform at the 2012 50th anniversary of the Footscray Unit.

Denis, guest speaker at local community event, National Volunteer Week, 2021.

Denis Brain, Life Member. vicsesva.org.au

Coxswain Denis Brain, boat rescue training. May 2021

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WOW DAY

WEAR ORANGE WEDNESDAY IS THE NATIONAL DAY OF RECOGNITION TO SAY ‘THANK YOU’ TO SES VOLUNTEERS.

n 2021 it was celebrated on 19 May with major landmarks, including AAMI Park, the Bolte Bridge and the Melbourne Star lit up in orange. One example of the appreciation shown by the community came from a local kindergarten where the children made posters to thank SES volunteers: “The children would like to send their appreciation and admiration for the wonderful work you do. We discussed WOW Day and the reason that you wear Orange when you are working.

This led to a great discussion about volunteering and how important it is to our community. We talked about all the situations you help people with and used your website to look at pictures of you in action. We were super impressed by the big landmarks being coloured Orange in your honour. Our play rooms are named after Australian native animals so we especially love that you care for Koalas and Kangaroos when they too are caught up in emergency situations”.

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Tropical Cyclone Seroja:

VICSES CREWS DEPLOYED TO WA

A group of responders before embarking on a military aircraft to be transported back to Perth. Photo: Bec Burns, Mandurah SES.

NSESVA Chair Gordon Hall writes from WA Photo courtesy Bec Burns, Mandurah SES WA

IN LATE APRIL, VICSES CREWS AND RESOURCES WERE DEPLOYED TO WA TO ASSIST IN THE CLEANUP AFTER TROPICAL CYCLONE SEROJA. 21 VOLUNTEERS WERE DEPLOYED, ALONG WITH 3 STAFF MEMBERS AND 5 TRUCKS. Tropical Cyclone Seroja An unusual weather pattern formed off the coast of WA in April, which affected a tropical cyclone moving down the coast of Western Australia. The cyclone crossed WA’s coast much further south than would normally be the case, in a region not classified as cyclone-rated. The path of this cyclone (TC Seroja) was heavily influenced by what is known as the Fujiwhara Effect and the intensity was maintained because of higher-than-normal sea temperatures (as stated by the Bureau of Meteorology). On the morning of 12 April, the townspeople in Kalbarri and Northampton awoke to severe destruction in their towns and surrounding areas; 70% of their buildings were destroyed. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES WA) responded immediately to assist the towns and surrounding areas. The response, over the coming weeks included deployments from WA country towns, Perth and interstate personnel. It is this help of the emergency responders that has assisted the town to recover as quickly as possible. vicsesva.org.au

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CASTLEMAINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXPO CASTLEMAINE SES WORKED WITH THE LOCAL COUNCIL AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES TO ORGANISE AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXPO ON 22 MAY TO HELP PEOPLE IN CENTRAL VICTORIA GET READY AND GET PREPARED FOR WHEN DISASTER OR EMERGENCY STRIKES.

mergency services represented at the event included Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, The CFA, Fire Rescue Victoria, Forest Fire Management, Red Cross and Mount Alexander Shire Council. It was a beautiful day and every emergency service was kept busy with a constant stream of visitors to every stall. The SES had a huge presence; the Mobile Command Vehicle, Field Operations Vehicle, Rescue Boat, Mule and rescue truck, lighting trailers and 4WDs were all on show. Members of other units joined the Castlemaine SES team and Ambulance Victoria for a road crash rescue demonstration which was performed in front of an enthusiastic crowd. The event was a great success and all the emergency services who attended are keen to take part in the next Castlemaine Emergency Services Expo. Submitted by Daniel Bone Deputy Controller, VICSES Castlemaine

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TASMANIA DOG RESCUE COORDINATED BY BEACONSFIELD MINE COLLAPSE SURVIVOR Photos: ABC news Remember this image? This was the day Brant Webb and Todd Russell walked out of the Beaconsfield Gold Mine in northern Tasmania, after spending 2 weeks trapped underground. The story of their successful rescue made headlines around the world and was featured in countless media specials. Sadly one of their colleagues did not survive the collapse. Now, exactly 15 years to the day that he was freed from the entrapment, local Fire Brigade Chief Todd Russell relived the experience, helping to coordinate the rescue of a dog called Bear, trapped down a local mine shaft. Bear is a 5-year old German Shepherd belonging to local resident Emma Rule, who, after becoming a below-the-knee amputee, bought Bear to help her and motivate her to learn to walk again. Emma described how Bear escaped her property through a gate that had been left open. Emma looked for him in the early hours with a torch and his lead, but he was nowhere to be found. She and her partner spent hours searching for their dog in the bush, only to find him fallen down a 5 metre mine shaft, and to their surprise, uninjured. Their next step was to call the emergency services. Todd Russell coordinated a plan of action with his local fire brigade volunteers. They enlisted the expertise of SES volunteers, as Russell said: “We don’t train in this type of thing. It’s the first time, and obviously that’s why we brought in the expertise of the State Emergency Service because they train in rope rescue.” Bear was soon brought up to the surface using safety harnesses and ropes. Emma was impressed by their expertise and overwhelmed to be reunited with her beloved dog. Todd Russell commented “It just happened to be on the same day that I walked to freedom 15 years ago; It was a little bit uncanny”.

Assessing the scene.

Rescuers preparing to go down the mine shaft.

Bear is successfully brought back to the surface. vicsesva.org.au

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VicSESVA

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

• Director • Alternate Director

VicSESVA Board 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 • Board Member • Vice Chairperson • Board Member • Secretary • Board Member • Treasurer

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-to-subscribe/

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/

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vicsesva.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

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) 13. AFAC doctrine development, ‘Volunteer inclusion Model’ (VMTG Diversity Working Group) 14. Member, AIDR Dranszen Forum 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:

• 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.

• 2018 Informed Observer, Diversity in Disaster Conference

SECTOR COLLABORATION

• 2019 Chair, Akolade 2nd Emergency Management Leaders’ Forum

VicSESVA has extensive membership of industry forums, regular collaboration with VICSES and influence through its membership of NSESVA, including:

• 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

1. EMV Volunteer Consultative Forum, founding member

• 2019 Facilitator, EM conference panel Wellbeing: a Range of Perspectives from People on the Ground

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

• 2019 Expert Judge, Ch7 News Young Achiever Awards (CFA Volunteer Excellence category) • 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-inthe-sesreshaping-dynamics

7. VESEP panel member (VICSES and EMV)

vicsesva.org.au

May 2021

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