Phoenix Journal May 2023

FREE GUIDES

ARE THEY TRIPLE OK?

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.

CONTRIBUTIONS

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.

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

www.vicsesva.org.au

Front cover: Debbie Howie and Myra Rist

Contents

3 From the Board

5 Young Emerging Leaders NSESVA Canberra Program

8 Young Emerging Leaders Victoria Profiles

11 VicSES Manningham Unit at 60 looks to the future

12 Phillip Island Multi-agency Exercise: Technical Rescue

14 Falls Creek: A High Plains Specialised Unit

17 VicSES & Macedon Ranges Shire Council Go Online For Cera Review

17 Denis Brain: National Volunteer Week

18 Official Opening Of The New Chelsea SES Unit

20

22

23 Member Profile Lauren Emblem

28 The Are They Triple OK? Podcast

VicSESVA STATE BOARD EXECUTIVE & STATE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIR

Mr David Rowlands

M: 0423 777 633

E: chair@vicsesva.org.au

VICE CHAIR AND DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST REGION

John McKenzie

E: secretary@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR NORTH EAST REGION

In progress

E: nerc@vicsesva.org.au

LIFE MEMBER

Mr Chris Patton

M: 0407 310 555

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:

COUNTRYWIDE AUSTRAL

1/460 Bourke Street, Melbourne

GPO Box 2466, Melbourne 3001

Ph: (03) 9937 0200 Fax: (03) 9937 0201

E-mail: contact @cwaustral.com.au

ACN: 30 086 202 093

E: shop@vicsesva.org.au

SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR CENTRAL WEST REGION

David Edwards

E: cwrc@vicsesva.org.au

VICSES PEER SUPPORT

PRESIDENT Dr Faye Bendrups OAM

M: 0435 964 455

E: fayebendrups@hotmail.com

TREASURER

Sue Davidson

E: treasurer@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR EAST REGION In progress

E: erc@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR NORTH WEST REGION

Julie Jochs

E: nwrc@vicsesva.org.au

DIRECTOR MID WEST REGION In progress

E: mwrc@vicsesva.org.au

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).

CHAPLAINS CONTACT DETAILS

CENTRAL REGION

Major Arthur Ford

M: 0416 085 634

Major Eddy Holman

M: 0412 014 557

EAST REGION

Rev Judy McLeod

M: 0417 347 821

NORTH WEST REGION Rev David Mills

M: 0425 708 730

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.

This edition highlights some of the very best in volunteering along with one of the worst management decisions made for volunteers. More on that later.

How inspiring it is to read about IGEM Tony Pearce’s Victorian Trek and the attention it has brought to the wellbeing of our emergency service personnel.

And to see the work of the Falls Creek Alpine specialist unit reminds us of the risky response work undertaken to save lives in the high plains.

Staying power -decades of dedication- is represented by the Manningham Unit’s 60th birthday, and individuals like Denis Brain who continue to serve after more than 55 years, alongside newer members like Laura Emblem from the Birchip Unit.

Of significant note are the two young volunteers from Victoria, Alex Bartaska and Codie Powell, who were selected from a very competitive list of applicants, to participate in the NSESVA Young Emerging Leaders

from the BOARD

program in Canberra. This ground breaking program is designed to give opportunities to younger members who will be the future leaders in emergency volunteering.

Fourteen young leaders from every jurisdiction met in Canberra to participate in the AFAC National Memorial Service, where they were introduced to Senator the Hon Murray Watt, the Minister for Emergency Management and his special envoy for disasters, Senator Tony Sheldon. This was followed by a tour of Parliament House, visit to Geoscience Australia, formal and informal dinners and presentations and most importantly, an invitation from the Governor General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) to attend Government House in Yarralumla where he gave them a private address on leadership, followed by a garden party lunchfunction to recognise the coronation of King Charles III.

After reviewing this amazing range of service and contribution, it is disheartening to explain that EMV, without notice

or adequate reasoning, has disbanded the Volunteer Consultative Forum. The Forum was established for the express purpose of providing volunteers with a direct voice to the Minister for Emergency Services and was a commitment agreed to by the Premier, the Minister, the Commissioner and all agency heads, in the Emergency Management Volunteer Statement. The Forum has provided a multi-agency approach focused on solutions and the future of the sector and has produced significant reports, critical to sustainable volunteering, over the last decade. Cancelling this expert Forum is yet another example of how bureaucrats fail to understand the experiences of volunteers and their needs, and it is a way of silencing the robust, active and informed voices of volunteers, just when the future of the sector most needs them. As the CEO of the VFBV, Adam Barnett wrote: “Volunteers should not have to fight for governments to simply honour the commitments they make”.

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

YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS NSESVA CANBERRA PROGRAM

“PARTICIPATING IN THE YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM IS PERHAPS THE MOST MEMORABLE OCCASION OF MY VOLUNTEERING CAREER AND MY WORK IN THE EMERGENCY SERVICE SECTOR”

For anyone who has ever had the chance to travel interstate or overseas on a deployment or has worked with members on deployment to Victoria, you’ll be familiar with that profound sense of community, relatability and identity as an SES volunteer that transcends borders and jurisdictions. This feeling is certainly at the heart of what Acting Controller Codie Powell (Sale Unit) and I had the privilege of experiencing when we were selected as young VicSES representatives at the recent National SES Volunteers Association’s Young Emerging Leaders Program in Canberra.

Alongside two representatives from every SES jurisdiction in the country, we were certainly in for an incredible few days in the nation’s capital. Arriving on the Thursday, we were introduced to our fellow representatives from interstate, and the connection and camaraderie was instantaneous. That afternoon we were treated to a brief tour of the easily underappreciated sights, sounds and natural beauty of the bush capital’s surroundings by local ACT SES members who provided our transport. Before dinner, we met with NSESVA and AFAC representatives at the Emergency Services Memorial site to familiarise ourselves with the space and our roles for the following morning’s memorial service to honour emergency

service members who have died in the line of duty and from workplace injury and illness.

Under clear sunny skies and classic fresh Canberra morning air, we ushered guests to their seats and distributed programmes and rosemary, before forming a guard of honour for the Governor General and his wife, who alongside delegates from agencies across the country and from New Zealand spoke to the spirit of volunteering and working in the

emergency service sector and the impact we all have on those around us. We heard the names honoured of those who had recently passed away; it was certainly confronting to hear of how many have died from workplace cancer. Amongst the solemnity of the wreath laying at the end of the ceremony, I can safely say that all who were present had been very moved by the sacred event we had participated in, with

continued on page 6

Welcome by the Governor General

Drawing Room, Government House Yarralumla

a new dimension being added to our bond as a community. Life certainly is precious, and what better way to spend it doing something you love and with the people you love.

After the ceremony we were greeted by Senator the Hon. Murray Watt (Minister for Emergency Management) and members of his staff, who expressed their gratitude and support for our work before we attended a tour of Parliament House, which is always a fascinating visit. It was at this time that we were let in on a very special secret - we had been formally invited to attend Government House to meet the Governor General and his wife, who presented us all with a Governor General’s Medallion each. His Excellency spoke to us of his own experiences as a young leader and the skills required to lead an agediverse team, and Her Excellency lead us in singing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to renew our commitment to each other as members of the SES family.

Afterwards, we attended the Governor General’s barbecue and garden party for

the Coronation of King Charles III and his wife Camilla, where the contribution of volunteers and emergency service members in particular was highlighted alongside the theme of service, in light of the upcoming National Volunteers Week. It was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with highlights being cupcakes with the best icing I’ve ever tasted and getting to meet volunteers from around the country and dignitaries from all realms of the Commonwealth.

Following the party it was off to Geoscience Australia, where we learned about the science that informs the events we respond to, including some interesting emergency management considerations of less commonly considered natural phenomena such as solar storms. Getting to touch a piece of the moon was certainly a popular highlight here.

With a surreal and fantastic day behind us, we sat down for a formal dinner with NSESVA representatives to learn about their advocacy and support for SES volunteers,

with Sarah Wilson, the Director of Volunteering Australia’s National Strategy for Volunteering, speaking to us about some of the challenges we face as volunteers and how their organisation’s work advocates for volunteering to become more accessible to combat declining volunteer numbers and keep volunteering sustainable for current volunteers.

We were then presented with awards from the NSESVA, with a special mention going to Doreen McEnroe ESM who is now the first person who has been awarded life membership within the National SES Volunteers Association.

With the formalities concluded, we were left to celebrate and explore Canberra before returning home on the weekend.

Participating in the Young Emerging Leaders program is perhaps the most memorable occasion of my volunteering career and my work in the emergency service sector, and my highlight would certainly be the new friendships I have made

Young Leaders at Parliament House

Medallions presented by the Governor General

Invitation to Government House Yarralumla, a garden party to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III

across the country. There is little more satisfying than spending time in the company of like-minded people who inspire you, and that really speaks to how lucky we all are to have found ourselves a home in the broader SES community.

This reminds me of a quote from The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, which goes something along the lines of “who you choose to be around you lets you know who you are”.

I would like to thank Gordon Hall, Faye Bendrups and the other NSESVA members who have worked tirelessly to put together this incredible opportunity, as well as the ACT Emergency Services Agency members for their hospitality, and Sarah Wilson, Murray Watt, the Governor General and Mrs Hurley and Geoscience Australia for supporting the work that we do.

By Alex Bartaska Deputy Controller, Southern

Unit

Metro Regional

Coronation cake

Paddington Bear cake

YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS VICTORIA PROFILES

the world”

THE TWO VICTORIAN FINALISTS SELECTED TO ATTEND THE NSESVA YOUNG EMERGING LEADERS 2023 PROGRAMME IN CANBERRA INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND DESCRIBE THEIR SERVICE IN SES:

Alex Bartaska

VicSES Southern Metro Regional Unit

I am 23 years old, and have volunteered with the Victoria State Emergency Service in the Southern Metro Regional Unit (formerly the State Headquarters Unit) in Southbank, Melbourne since 2019. This period has been a very dynamic time for our unit, and I have been one of the first members from the unit in its current form to have participated in several deployments, inter-regional and interstate and travel out to other units in various support roles.

My background within the SES lies largely within incident management team, incident command point and incident control centre (and previously state control centre) roles and community engagement roles, however over the past year I have been more actively involved in leading certain unit administrative responsibilities and assisting in the recruitment of new members.

In December 2022, I was appointed Deputy Controller of the Southern Metro Regional Unit, leading community

engagement; one of our unit’s core responsibilities.

Outside the SES I am an Ambulance Community Officer and a Patrol Captain with Lifesaving Victoria.

Codie Powell

VicSES Sale Unit

I am a current member of the Sale SES Unit and have been since I could join the service as a junior member. I have currently been a part of the service for approximately 8 years. I got into the service because my dad is a member. I attended every training night for a year before I was even old enough to become a member of the service. All I could do was stand back and watch, but it put a fire into me to join as soon as I could, which I’m glad I did. It has given me opportunities I didn’t know were out there, while also creating another family.

Joining the service has given me the confidence I never knew I had in me. If someone told me 10 years ago that this is what I would be doing, I would have laughed. I can’t even begin to tell you how I

feel when I can talk to someone (a complete stranger) about what I am greatly passionate about. I feel great accomplishment whenever I can do something to help the community and know that there is nothing in return that can make me feel better. If I didn’t love it I wouldn’t have stayed for as long as I have. There have been difficult times between being young (female) and some people not thinking I was capable of accomplishing things that is expected of the service, to seeing difficult things on jobs.

I spent the first couple of years as just an ordinary member, before realising that I knew I could do more to help my unit. I unofficially worked with the unit controller to help them with small jobs, before a position opened up for the membership officer at the unit. I applied, not thinking I would get it being the youngest member in the unit, but surprisingly I did. It has been one of the best things (after joining the service of course) I ever did. It brought me out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to actually communicate with my community to bring awareness to some of the things we face as volunteers.

“I would not change it for

I spent about 2 years in the Membership officer role, while helping new potential members join and promoting the service at PR events (kids days/thank you days/school career expo), It also gave me a better opportunity to help the unit controller even more than I could before.

As the Unit Controller had left the service, it opened up a spot for Administrator officer (as they had been moved to Unit Controller), after putting forward to the other UMT members as well as the members of the unit I was put forward into the temporary spot of this position while also continuing on with Membership side of things.

At the time of writing this, I have worked my way up to Acting Unit Controller of the Sale Unit, as our appointed one if currently on leave. Getting this position was scary, I know another member who was going for the position as well, and he had been a previous Unit Controller for the unit, so I knew he had way more experience then I had, as well as still being one of the younger members of the unit.

However, someone saw the potential I had to trial this position for the duration of the current Controller’s leave. Which I will forever be grateful for, as I feel this allows me to step even further out of my comfort zone, but I know it will make me into the best version of myself I could possibly be.

AFAC23-halfpage-ad-131x190mm-AiPol-20Apr.qxp_Layout 1 20/4/23 8:42 am Page 1

Even though I have worked my way up to where I am now with a lot of work and support from family and other members at the unit, and it’s a great spot to be, I know I can achieve

bigger and greater things. I have done all this while juggling work and school to get my nursing degree. It’s been a hard couple of years but I would not change it for the world.

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Codie Powell and Alex Bartaska at Government House Yarralumla, presented with medallions by the Governor General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd).

VICSES MANNINGHAM UNIT AT 60 LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

AN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WAS HELD ON WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR THE VICTORIA STATE EMERGENCY SERVICE (VICSES) MANNINGHAM UNIT, TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS IN OPERATION.

To mark the occasion, VICSES Manningham Unit volunteers created a display of historical photos and items from the unit’s past, and opened the mezzanine level for guests to view the newly-installed indoor roof training facility. The volunteers also created an audio-visual presentation of a large-scale emergency response scenario, and set up truck, boat, and equipment displays.

Attending the celebration were Mayor Deirdre Diamante; VICSES Chief Executive Officer Stephen Griffin, Cr Carli Lange, Cr Anna Chen, and the Federal Member for Menzies, Keith Wolahan MP. VICSES Manningham Unit volunteers were also joined by local emergency service partners - (CFA) Country Fire Authority and Ambulance Victoria - as well as Salvation Army volunteers who provided catering for the event.

The Unit’s volunteers responded to over 500 calls for help from the community in the last financial year (2021/22), and nearly 750 the year before (2020/21). The Unit, formerly VICSES Doncaster Unit, was formed in March 1962 following a series of devastating bushfires. The Shire Council as it was then, realised that there was a need for a corps of volunteers who could work with Council, assist disaster victims, clear debris, and keep vital roads open.

Though it had the support of council the Unit had no headquarters, uniforms, or equipment. However, the volunteers were ready to assist and in 1965, when another bushfire struck the area, the Unit swung into action in support of local firefighters. Then, as now, the VICSES volunteers worked tirelessly to supply resources and logistics to the firefighters, to clear roads, and evacuate residents.

Though Civil Defence units had been active since 1957 along the River Murray to respond in times of flooding, VICSES Manningham Unit was one of the first to be established in a metropolitan area. The Unit’s response boundary contains a mix of bushland and built environment; fringed to the north and west by the Yarra, and Koonung Creek to the south. Manningham has six main creeks, which flow into the Yarra and cascade around the gently rolling hills where water is quick to collect, but slow to drain away. In the city blocks that extend to the west towards Melbourne, overland flows cause flash flooding during

heavy downpours; prompting calls for help to which Unit volunteers have responded for generations.

The early Unit was based in a prefabricated wooden building brought to Zerbes Reserve in 1965. It was cramped but functional. 10 years later, the slowly expanding Unit became the State Emergency Service with the controller at the time, Neil Gryst, helping to design the State Emergency Service emblem. It is still in use today.

In 1974, Unit volunteers dedicated nearly 500 hours of their time to Victoria Police at the Russell Street Police Complex by assisting with tracing, and registering the victims of Cyclone Tracy.

The first deployment undertaken by the Unit as the State Emergency Service was in 1975 for the Swan Hill floods. The Unit has since been called upon to perform this sort of role many times, to the present day.

During the Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Unit sent its volunteers to Cockatoo and Bright for five days and nights, in support of local communities devastated by the fires. Similarly, during the 2006 Gippsland fires, the Unit sent crews to provide operational and logistical support to the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the CFA.

The volunteers even assisted with aircraft accidents over the years, including a passenger plane that crashed into five Essendon homes in 1993. Miraculously, there were no fatalities.

As the control agency for flood and storm events, the volunteers were deployed

many times throughout the state, for the Central Victorian floods in 1993, the evacuation of Pakenham residents in 1984, Craigieburn in 1986, and Maribyrnong during floods in 1991, 1992, and 1996. They were deployed interstate to the Broken River floods in 1993 and of course to many major floods in the Manningham area, including the 2003 floods; where three citations were awarded to Unit members for their bravery. The VICSES volunteers had rescued a man within minutes of his car sinking under two metres of floodwater.

Even with its glorious past, VICSES Manningham Unit is looking to the future, inaugurating its new indoor roof training facility last night at an event marking the 60th anniversary of its founding. With this new facility, the Unit hopes to expand its volunteer workforce by providing a training environment to beat any in the country. A new purposebuilt training room will complement the SWAHS (Safe Working at Heights System) facility, and provide neighbouring units with an invaluable local asset.

VICSES funded the SWAHS upgrade with additional monies received in the last State Government Budget, which allowed the Unit to invest money saved for the project into replacing its fleet of two fourwheel drive vehicles.

If Manningham had family jewels, the VICSES unit on Blackburn Road would surely be among its brightest gems.

By Jen Selmore

PHILLIP ISLAND MULTIAGENCY EXERCISE: Technical Rescue

RECENTLY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS FROM THE BASS COAST REGION TOOK PART IN A MULTI-AGENCY TRAINING SESSION ON PHILLIP ISLAND.

This session focused on technical rescue patient extrication, enabling practice for qualified steep angle operators, and an insight into technical rescue for other members, joining the haul team and assisting with patient handling.

A big shout out to the VICSES and VicPol training team for your expertise, enthusiasm, and feedback.

Thank you to the SES, CFA, and Ambulance Victoria members for joining the session and making it a fantastic day.

This training aids in strengthening cross agency emergency response in the Bass Coast region, and is also a step towards our goal of Technical Rescue Accreditation.

By Bri Reid Deputy Controller VicSES Phillip Island

FALLS CREEK

A High Plains Specialised Unit

THE FALLS CREEK SES UNIT HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE ALPINE ENVIRONMENT, BOTH SUMMER AND WINTER.

Winter presents a unique set of demands for our unit. The winter environment can be harsh and ever changing, the weather being unforgiving and brutal. We need to be skilled and prepared for any event.

The weather dramatically changes the alpine area regularly. Our weekly winter training exercises on the high plains via snowmobiles, allow members to understand where snow conditions change such as crevices developing, creeks becoming either snow covered or exposed, cracks in the surface changing, potential avalanche sites developing and snowdrifts also developing along normally flat surfaces.

The High Plains are vast, thus understanding how to navigate the area safely, and without getting lost or injured, takes a lot of training, experience, time and use of appropriate equipment.

The challenges are endless and can be life threatening without the proper skills, knowledge, training, and regular inspections of the high plains. Knowledge and skillsets build with each weekly exercise. The unit is highly specialised.

Because of our extensive training and skillsets, the Unit assists Police and Ambulance with searching and rescues of lost parties, and retrieval of injured persons. This usually occurs in blizzards, and other extreme weather events but some days we are lucky enough to experience blue bird days making rescues and retrieval easier. The weather and conditions are never the same.

The unit also supports the Kangaroo Hoppet, a major international event conducted in the High Plains.

Specialised alpine training occurs year-round to ensure a high level of alpine skills are developed and maintained for both summer and winter responses. Safety is paramount.

In summer, the unit utilises 4wds to access the high plains. Members must be trained and experienced in alpine retrieval. The summer landscape is vastly different to winter. Once again, navigation takes on a new role during this period with a high level of local knowledge of the fire tracks, walking trails and how to access remote areas swiftly and safely.

In the Alpine environment, specialised equipment is required to conduct search and rescue operations. Equipment

includes snowmobiles, adapted trailers for pickups, crampons for ice rescues, 4wds, specific communication equipment and protective clothing.

Specialised equipment is expensive. Falls Creek SES conducts regular fundraising events such as the Annual SES BBQ with an auction of donated products from local Falls Creek businesses. This event attracts hundreds of attendees raising substantial funds to help support the needs of the unit. We attend the Ice Plunge selling BBQ items for further fund raising as well as other community events. People find our displays interesting given the specialised equipment required to conduct our rescues and retrievals.

Falls Creek SES plays a vital role in the safety of Alpine High Plains’ visitors. Its members are dedicated to providing a highly specialised group of individuals bringing specific skills and experience which allow visitors access to our Alpine National Parks areas.

By Debbie Howie Vice President, Falls Creek Chamber of Commerce Snonuts www.snonutsdonuts.com

Ice Plunge BBQ Fundraising: Mark Weir (former Controller), Debbie Howie, David Hetherton (Controller), Phil Rookes

Alpine High Plains Exercises: Debbie Howie, Nick Demopolous

Support for Kangaroo Hoppet: Matt O’Keefe, Glen Whitford, Simon Allen, Brett Williams

Alpine High Plains Exercises: Debbie Howie, Myra Rist Crew:

The past two years have been especially challenging for emergency service personnel across Eastern Victoria and the state.

Through it all, SES volunteers have continued to show immeasurable dedication, skill, and resolve.

So, thank you to our wonderful SES volunteers for all that you do, and thank you to your families for the support they give you as you help others.

For your tireless efforts to make and keep our communities safe.

For braving the elements and the most difficult situations to help people most in need.

Every day, every week, every holiday season, every year.

VICSES & MACEDON RANGES SHIRE COUNCIL GO ONLINE FOR CERA REVIEW

IN MAY 2023, ON BEHALF OF THE MACEDON RANGES MEMPC, VICSES FACILITATED AN ONLINE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT (CERA) REVIEW OF THE SHIRE’S HIGH-RISK BUSHFIRE AND GRASSFIRE HAZARD.

By conducting the CERA review at a separate time to the MEMPC meeting, which is held afterhours, committee members can get home at a reasonable time and minimise risks of driving late at night. The review was conducted online after receiving feedback that an afterhours meeting would better suit busy volunteers, subject matter experts and community members. Additionally, many Committee members live and work a significant distance from the Shire offices making it difficult to travel to all the meetings they participate in.

The meeting was conducted online using Microsoft Teams. With some slight hiccups to start, the 17 participants were able to all introduce themselves and kept their cameras on for the duration of the review, meaning everybody participated fully. Discussion was held to determine group agreement regarding the best approach for the meeting including who and how participants would vote. All members were invited to vote as it is a community assessment and the Macedon Ranges MEMPC recognises the importance of volunteer and community voice.

Denis Brain

At their next meeting, the MEMPC members will ultimately endorse the changes to the risk profile.

The success of the review was made possible due to an excellent presentation from CFA’s David Allen (as the control agency and key Subject Matter Expert for this hazard), followed by an opportunity to ask questions before being guided through the online survey and scorecard information sheet and placing their vote in real time for results available the next business day.

Overall, it was an excellent outcome that meant more votes and participation were possible. The Macedon Ranges MEMPC thank VICSES and their volunteers for their contribution in this important planning exercise.

By Eliza Tipping Coordinator Emergency Management, Community Strengthening Macedon Ranges Shire Council

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

DURING NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK, VETERAN FOOTSCRAY VOLUNTEER DENIS BRAIN WAS INVITED TO SPEAK AT A SPECIAL SERVICE HONOURING VOLUNTEERS AT ST MARK’S CHURCH FOOTSCRAY.

Denis spoke of the different kinds of activities he has undertaken, his wide range of skills and training, and some of the more confonting incidents he has attended.

Everyone attending appreciated Denis’ great experience and dedication to community. VICSES Footscray have a longestablished partnership with organiser David Palmer, working on community events and in particular the Yarraville Carols in the Garden each year. This is the fifth year Denis has been invited as a guest speaker.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW CHELSEA SES UNIT

SUNDAY APRIL 30TH MARKED A VERY SPECIAL AND SIGNIFICANT DAY IN THE LONG AND PROUD HISTORY OF CHELSEA SES, AS WE MARKED THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF OUR MAGNIFICENT NEW HEADQUARTERS, A PARTY THAT HAD BEEN ALMOST 15 YEARS IN THE PLANNING.

An audience of more than 80 invited guests, arrived on the orange carpet and were then welcomed into the unit’s huge Motor Bay, where the formal opening ceremony took place, accompanied by live music, supplied by Jon Mol on the piano.

Then it was down to business, beginning with a powerful and inclusive Welcome to Country, delivered by Steve Parker, followed by our speakers: State Member, Tim Richardson MP, representing the Minister for Emergency Services, The Honourable Jacklyn Symes, VICSES CEO Steve Griffin, Emergency Management Commissioner for Victoria, Andrew Crisp, City of Kingston Mayor, Councillor Hadi Saab, and of course, Unit Controller, Ron Fitch ESM.

In his speech, Ron emphasized the fact that our volunteers are the most important component in any SES unit. “It is a fact that we can have all of the vehicles, all of the equipment, and the biggest and best building in Victoria, but without our volunteers, it means nothing. Nothing happens without

the people, and when the last volunteer leaves at night, the building is left without a heart and without a soul”.

After the speeches, the guests enjoyed more live music, while Ron lead an escorted tour of the facility for the special guests.

Then a magnificent lunch was served for all to enjoy, and there was even a spot of dancing from some of the guests, a wonderful atmosphere, to celebrate such a great day.

Then it was off to the front of the building for the second official opening of the day.

We were thrilled to also be opening the Natasha Drake Memorial Garden.

The garden was a dream that became a reality, through the generosity of our local Bunnings Warehouse, to honour the memory of our Tash, who passed away at just 27, a little over a year ago. They designed the garden and then supplied

everything in it, along with their own staff, coming out and doing all the work to put everything together, donating their time, products, and expertise for free. Amazing.

Natasha’s Dad, Glenn Drake, and Bunnings representative, Tam Macauley shared the honours of cutting the Orange Ribbon to officially open the garden to many tears and applause.

Through the efforts of so many people, our new LHQ became a reality, a building that we are so proud to call home, and a place that will symbolise the Victoria State Emergency Service in our community, for many, many years to come, so that in the future, a new generation of volunteers will have this amazing facility in which to learn, grow, and serve their community and to continue the proud tradition that Chelsea SES has built over 70 years.

It was such a special day for so many reasons, and a day of such significance, that it will go down in the unit’s history, and live on long after this current group of volunteers has hung up their orange.

VOLUNTEER CONSULTATIVE FORUM DISBANDED

A Backward Step for the Emergency Sector and Volunteers

HOW MANY REPORTS DOES IT TAKE FOR LEADERS IN EMERGENCY SERVICES TO UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF VOLUNTEER INPUT?

There have been years –or decadesof reports, after action reviews, white papers, royal commissions, reviews and restructures, which all recommend that volunteers should be consulted, listened to and their advice taken seriously. After the 2009 Black Saturday fires, with the sector restructure and the establishment of Emergency Management Victoria, an innovative Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF) was set up to do just that.

It came as a great shock to members of the Forum that the Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp, who co-chairs the VCF, unilaterally and without any advance notice, announced to the Forum at its regular quarterly meeting on 22 April 2023 that he was disbanding the VCF. This is in direct contravention of the principles agreed to in the Emergency Management Volunteer Statement of 2015.

While the EMC stated that he engaged with volunteers regularly out in the field, that is not a strategic or sustainable approach. The VCF on the other hand, was comprised of both volunteers and agency staff who manage volunteers, providing a pathway for the matters raised in the VCF to be fed directly back to agencies. The members of the VCF were also senior leaders in their respective associations or organisations, which meant their voices would be influential. The members from volunteer-involving groups also could utilise their networks to provide a consolidated, representative approach that flowed from the ground up. Importantly, the matters raised by the VCF could be shared directly with the Minister for Emergency Services, as (until recent years), the respective Minister attended VCF meetings.

VicSESVA has written to the Minister with our concerns at this

sudden disbandment of the VCF, no acknowledgement or reply has been received. The VFBV Board members have unanimously declared EMV to be an ‘organisation of concern’ because of their betrayal of volunteers. VicSESVA

has no quarrel with that designation. As VFBV CEO Adam Barnett writes “Volunteers should not have to fight for governments to simply honour the commitments they make”. EMV has failed the entire sector, the volunteers

and the communities they serve by this misguided move.

The following describes what the Forum is/was, and the substantial amount of work they conducted over the last decade.

What is the VCF?

The Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF) was established to:

• give emergency management volunteers a voice to government on volunteerrelated issues and the broader emergency management reform agenda.

• facilitate the government’s commitment to consult and engage with emergency management volunteers and their representative bodies on matters that affect them.

• complement, rather than replace, existing arrangements within the emergency management sector.

• discuss issues concerning the culture of volunteerism in Victoria, how best to monitor the health and well-being of volunteers, and how to improve volunteer recruitment, retention, capacity and training.

Research and Activities

The VCF members developed, wrote or contributed to a substantial body of work relevant to the sector and volunteers, including the following reports. These reports and research papers reflect major issues facing the emergency sector and provide evidence and recommendations, with a solutions-focused approach, for collaboration and change-making.

• 2014 Report: Successful Volunteering Initiatives

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/publications/ volunteer-consultative-forum-reportsuccessful-volunteer-initiatives https://files.emv.vic.gov.au/2021-07/VolunteerConsultative-Forum-Report-SuccessfulVolunteer-Initiatives.PDF

• 2015 Strategic Priorities for Emergency Management Volunteering in Victoria https://files.emv.vic.gov.au/2021-08/StrategicPriorities-for-EM-Volunteering-in-Vic.pdf

• 2016 Emergency Management Volunteer Statement

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/ volunteerstatement

• 2017 The Value of Volunteers, Volunteering and Volunteerism (‘The 3 Vs’)

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-wehelp/volunteers/the-value-of-volunteersvolunteering-and-volunteerism-3vs

• Interim Report: The Value Hidden in Plain Sight

The VCF was a forum for direct volunteer input and advice to the Minister on matters relating to:

1. issues affecting Victoria’s emergency management volunteers, and matters relating to the capacity of volunteers to deliver emergency management services in Victoria

2. strengthening the culture of volunteerism in Victoria and building a shared understanding of, and respect for, the critical role that volunteers play in the emergency management sector

3. improving the understanding within communities and non-volunteer agencies of the fundamental importance and value of emergency management volunteers

4. maximising the capacity, capability and utilisation of volunteers through a collaborative sector-wide approach to issues such as recruitment, retention, training, welfare, development pathways and diversity, including recognition of their employers as key partners

5. monitoring the health and wellbeing of the volunteers and provisions to ensure a systematic approach to their protection

6. developing and reviewing the broader emergency management strategic

https://files.emv.vic.gov.au/202105/3Vs%20Interim%20Report%20 The%20value%20hidden%20in%20 plain%20sight.pdf

• Final report: Uncovering the Hidden Value https://files.emv.vic.gov.au/2021-05/3Vs%20 Final%20Report%20Uncovering%20 the%20hidden%20value.pdf

• 2016 Emergency Management Welfare and Efficiency Survey (developed by VFBV by volunteers, for volunteers) https://files-em.em.vic.gov.au/public/EMVweb/Emergency-Management-VolunteerWelfare-and-Efficiency-Survey.PDF

• 2017 Emergency Management Welfare and Efficiency Survey (developed by VFBV by volunteers, for volunteers) https://files.emv.vic.gov.au/202108/2017%20Emergency%20

Management%20Volunteer%20

Welfare%20and%20Efficiency%20

Survey%20-%20Sector%20report.PDF

• 2018 Research paper: Home Emergency Plans. A comparative analysis of agencies’ plans, recommendations for consolidation and efficiencies (written and presented by VicSESVA)

• 2020 Review of VCF Terms of Reference (VCF review, at the request of the EMC)

• 2020 input Review of Strategic Priorities for Volunteering (VCF review, at the request of the EMC)

direction, reform processes and legislative obligations to volunteers

7. consolidating a Victorian position on volunteer related issues for the national emergency management agenda

8. facilitating a communications/information sharing network between volunteers, agencies and government

The Volunteer Consultative Forum Membership was comprised of representatives from:

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/how-we-help/ volunteers/volunteer-consultative-forum

• Ambulance Victoria

• Australian Volunteer Coast Guard

• Country Fire Authority

• Life Saving Victoria

• Red Cross

• Salvation Army

• St John Ambulance

• Victoria State Emergency Service

• Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteer Association

• Victorian Council of Churches, Emergencies Ministry

• Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria

• Victorian Marine Rescue

• 2021 input EMV Operational Model Review (VCF members)

• 2021 Project Brief: Transferability of Skills and Accreditation (VFBV research paper)

• 2021 Discussion Paper: EM Volunteer organisations: Cultural problems and Dispute Resolution (VicSESVA research paper)

• 2022 Discussion paper: Emergency Volunteering and Communities: New Approaches (VicSESVA research paper)

• 2022 Discussion Paper: The Duke of Ed and Emergency Volunteering (VicSESVA report)

• 2022 Report and ppt presentation: VCF Project Outline: Strengthening the VCF’s Strategic Advocacy Role (VCF members)

• Research Paper, external to VCF, shared for discussion; ‘Why do emergency management volunteers leave their organisations in Australia? A Systematic Review’ (VCF Co-Chair Allie Guegan)

Agency and other guest presentations at meetings

The following agencies and others gave presentations at VCF meetings to inform on roles, responsibilities and initiatives. This knowledge sharing was a key focus of the VCF.

VICSES, CFA, AV, Salvation Army, VCCEM, HelpOut, SES and CFA Youth members

EMV OWN GOAL

“VOLUNTEERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIGHT FOR GOVERNMENTS TO SIMPLY HONOUR THE COMMITMENTS

This month I am drawing strength from a Gandhi quote: “Truth never damages a cause that is just.”

I was most unfortunate to attend the recent meeting of the Volunteer Consultative Forum (VCF) where it was announced by the Emergency Management Commissioner that a decision had been made to disband the VCF. To say that the volunteers at that meeting drawn from the various agencies were saddened, hurt and disappointed would be an understatement.

The VCF was an initiative floated by VFBV during discussions of the Victorian Government’s White Paper on emergency management back in 2012. The concept was embraced and announced by the then Minister, the Hon Kim Wells MP. The VCF was officially formed on the 18th November 2013 and was heralded as delivering on the Victorian Government’s commitment to consult emergency management volunteers across the sector. The forum was designed to provide a multi-agency volunteer feedback loop direct to the Minister for Emergency Services on issues affecting EM volunteers. It was made up of more than twenty emergency management volunteers and agency nominees drawn from CFA, SES, Life Saving Victoria, Australian Red Cross, Ambulance Victoria, VFBV, St John Ambulance, Volunteer Coast Guard, Salvation Army, VICSESVA and the Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry.

The first meeting of the VCF was attended by Minister Wells who spoke about how grateful he was for the opportunity to consult with volunteers with regard to the emergency management sector and in particular the importance of volunteers having input in ensuring the sustainability and effective utilisation of volunteers across the EM sector. It was widely acknowledged that EM volunteers face unique challenges that deserved dedicated and focussed efforts.

Upon a change of Government at the end of 2014, the new Minister for Emergency Services, the Hon Jane Garrett MP attended her first meeting of the VCF on the 6th December 2014. Minister Garrett was a frequent attendee and echoed the importance of the VCF and acknowledged that ministerial involvement with the VCF would continue to be a priority under the Andrews Government.

On the 4th May 2016, Premier Andrews, along with Minister Garrett and the

Emergency Management Commissioner signed the Emergency Management Volunteer Statement that was an agreed commitment between the State of Victoria and emergency management volunteers that committed the State of Victoria to consult with EM volunteers and their representative bodies through the VCF on matters which affect them. The statement was co-signed by each of the eleven organisations represented on the VCF, including VFBV.

Therefore it was rather surprising to learn that consultation around the disbanding of the VCF with the VCF itself had not occurred prior to the decision being made. To disband the forum and ignore the commitments made without so much as a discussion with the very volunteers affected is quite astonishing and represents a significant betrayal of trust and integrity.

Even more remarkable is the fact that the EM Volunteer Statement was a public statement of commitment signed by the Premier himself on behalf of the whole Victorian Government.

It is at times like these that I remind members why VFBV had to take the extraordinary step of giving the CFA Volunteer Charter legal effect by inserting recognition of the Charter into the CFA Act. A change it should be pointed out, that received and celebrated bi-partisan support across both houses of Parliament.

Volunteers should not have to fight for governments to simply honour the commitments they make and it is heartbreaking to have to deal with such betrayals.

VFBV has learned that the decision to disband the VCF was made after a secret briefing and recommendation was prepared by EMV and given by the Emergency Management Commissioner to the Minister.

In an effort to hold decision makers accountable for their actions, VFBV has committed to public advocacy and formally advised the Minister of our concern that EMV has failed to acquit its obligations under the Volunteer Charter, which is a hard fought statutory obligation on not only CFA but also the State of Victoria.

In response, the VFBV Board have unanimously declared EMV to be an ‘Organisation of Concern’. This decision has not been made lightly and follows the VCF’s disbandment as well as consideration of recent activities such as the EMV Operating Model

Review and the lack of a cross agency after action review for last year’s flooding event.

The VFBV Board has taken this unprecedented step in order to highlight the serious disquiet and concern we have towards this behemoth of a bureaucracy and its recent poor record of engagement and direct consultation with volunteers and their representative bodies on several matters. We take no joy in having to take these steps but are committed to representing CFA volunteers with integrity and transparency.

We have taken no comfort from the Commissioner’s protestations that EMV will conduct some future review and consider future arrangements further. If the machinery of government cannot honour the public commitments made to volunteers under the EM Statement, how can anyone expect volunteers to trust any further promises?

EMV’s development since it first commenced operation on 1 July 2014 has been quite a journey. Moving from a small, dedicated team of less than twelve people who formed the Fire Services Commissioner’s Office, EMV has now morphed into a bureaucracy of several hundred, with its own CEO, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and countless executive directors, public servants, consultants and advisors.

Despite those resources, clearly they appear unable to support the peak volunteer forum that was given “enduring effect” under the EM Volunteer Statement.

Volunteers are sick and tired of hearing leaders give speeches about how much they respect and value the contribution of CFA volunteers, to then not match these words with actions.

If we add up all the numerous committee’s and working groups that EMV host across the sector filled with agency representatives and employees, it is quite an indictment that the only committee dedicated to emergency management volunteers who make up more than 90% of the workforce gets dumped. One only needs to track the poor progress of EMV’s actions towards the thirteen strategic priority actions developed by volunteers through the VCF back in 2015 and quietly erased from EMV’s strategic action plan over consequent years to see how far volunteer priorities and initiatives have been abandoned.

EMV’s recent Operating Model review is a further example of poor process.

THEY MAKE”

Readers would recall our concerns from the January and February 2022 editions of Fire Wise where volunteers were expected to provide feedback to their review over the Xmas and New Year period. The final report cemented EMV’s position that the solution to any and every problem facing the sector was to recommend more public servants.

Any cursory review of the COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine inquiry will show you the dangers of mixing public servants with incident management. Yet, EMV’s Operating model review advocates for more public sector full-time personnel to be employed to form fulltime Incident Management Teams managed by EMV. It then uses the gaps observed during their recent pandemic (Class 2) emergencies to argue for even more public servants to lead the management of Class 1 and 2 emergencies moving forward. The review even proposed a business case to train 500 public servants to form a new ‘Emergency Management Corps’. Where was the recommendation to recruit, retain and encourage another 500 volunteers you ask? Good question, we asked the same thing.

To demonstrate their priorities one need look no further than the announcement in

last year’s State Budget of a record $36.2 million dollars for the establishment of EMV’s new fulltime State Control Centre workforce. This isn’t even a new capability. It simply replaces the current workforce contributed by each of the agencies through existing surge capacity. A surge capacity that is being undermined and neglected. The lack of any real action to address consecutive drops in endorsed level 3 incident personnel across the sector over recent years is a good example of just hoping for something to fail and then rushing in with a preformed solution.

$36.2M could have bought 80 brand new fire trucks.

The emergency management sector relies on trust, and a workforce that is overwhelming volunteer. EMV’s actions risk it becoming more and more distant from the very people that make up the EM sector.

Advice from the ground will become more and more filtered and censured by the layers and layers of bureaucracy. Governments and Ministers will then be on the receiving end of very poor advice so distorted and disconnected to be almost useless. Current case in point.

Victoria cannot simply afford layers and layers of bureaucracy for no tangible benefit.

With a cost-of-living crisis looming large, budgets will become more and more under scrutiny. Priority must be given to CFA’s budget that is already under strain after decades of underinvestment, with ageing trucks, stations and hundreds of personnel transferred out of CFA under recent reforms.

If the Government is looking for savings that won’t impact on front line services and the critical work that emergency volunteer first responders do each and every day to keep our communities safe, then it need look no further than this behemoth of a bureaucracy. EMV’s status as an organisation of concern to volunteers represents a significant deterioration of support.

VFBV will continue to monitor and pursue meaningful arrangements that ensure genuine volunteer engagement and consultation though whatever means possible. We will continue standing up for CFA volunteers and reminding decision makers that EM volunteers contribute more than $2.4 billion dollars every year to the Victorian economy and taxpayer. Volunteers keep doing their bit, it is time for EMV and other sector leaders to step up and do theirs.

By Adam Barnett VFBV Chief Executive Officer

MEMBER PROFILE LAUREN EMBLEM

HELLO, MY NAME IS LAUREN EMBLEM

Ihave 5 siblings, mum, dad and plenty of extended family. I also have a few pets who are also family and are my favourite things in this world.

I grew up in Sydney, moved to the Mallee in late 2017 whilst finishing study. I have since completed my studies and am now a practising lawyer.

I joined the Birchip Unit in March 2018. My goal was to meet people but also to help out. I’ve always volunteered throughout high school and then university so this was something new and challenging but also rewarding.

The best thing I have learned by far is the skills acquired for Road Crash Rescue. I didn’t think it’s something I’d be able to do and was initially quite reluctant to try but now it’s my favourite skill to hone.

Everyone should consider joining their local unit as you learn a lot, you meet some pretty great like minded people and it’s a good opportunity to give back to the community.

Submitted by VicSES Birchip

of any age, mobility and location in to the captivating and unique world that exists beneath Australia’s vast waterways. We currently operate along the east coast of Australia from NSW to Victoria, exploring oceans and inland waterways.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS IN FLOOD WARNING NETWORK

In the 2023-2024 federal budget, the Albanese Labor Government announced it will invest $236 million over 10 years to establish a national, reliable flood warning network. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP released the following statement: Communities, emergency services and businesses need reliable access to flood forecasts and warnings, to help them prepare and respond to flooding events. This investment will improve reliability and consistency of flood data, forecasts and warnings.

The funding will be used to purchase and upgrade high priority flood gauges that are currently owned by local, state and territory governments in flood-prone areas. In many cases these are run down and poorly maintained.

Based on the advice of the Bureau of Meteorology, work in Queensland will be prioritised. This is due to the high flood risk to the community in Australia’s most disaster-prone state and the Queensland Government’s prior commitment to share the cost of ongoing operations of the flood gauge network.

This funding will ensure high priority catchment upgrades can begin in every state and territory across Australia, if successful

cost sharing arrangements are agreed to. Over a number of years, local and state governments have been calling for a national solution to address critical, long-standing risks in Australia’s flood gauge network. Dating as far back as 2015, studies have warned that the patchwork flood gauge network would increase risk during floods. Most recently, following the devastating 2022 flood season, multiple independent inquiries called upon the Federal Government to consolidate, upgrade and assume responsibility for ongoing maintenance of the flood network. The inquiries identified several, terrifying examples where communities were left uninformed or unprepared during the floods because of broken or outdated flood gauges.

The Labor Government is fixing this, after years of Coalition neglect.

The Flood Warning Infrastructure Network builds upon the work the Albanese Government is doing to ensure Australia is better prepared for future disasters. This includes new Budget commitments to overhaul how warning messages are delivered to residents during disasters through the National Messaging System (NMS), as well as ongoing investment in resilience and mitigation measures that will keep communities safer from disasters, through the Disaster Ready Fund.

“We’ve seen communities hit by terrible disasters in recent years, and this investment will mean people are given time to protect themselves, their property and their land”.

Senator the Hon Murray Watt, Minister for Emergency Management

AFAC NATIONAL MEMORIAL SERVICE 2023

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 and is streamed live so those who cannot attend Canberra in person can view it online.

Since 2019, the Directors and Councillors of the National SES Volunteers Association (NSESVA) have attended the service. A key project of NSESVSA is to sponsor Young Emerging Leaders from every jurisdiction to also attend the service and participate in other activities in Canberra. In 2023, fourteen Young Emerging Leaders were sponsored. At the Memorial Service they assisted attendees with seating, handed out sprigs of rosemary and formed a guard of honour for the arrival of the Governor General His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd). After the service they were addressed by the Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon. Murray Watt and the Special Envoy for Disasters, Senator Tony Sheldon.

What is the National memorial Service? AFAC explains: https://memorial.afac.com.au/

AFAC Director Operations Support introduces proceedings, with Governor General and Mrs Hurley, and NSWSES Commissioner Carlene York

Medallions presented to families of those who have died

NSESVA Chair Gordon Hall and CAVFA Chair lay wreaths

Young Emerging Leaders addressed by Senator the Hon Murray Watts and Senator Tony Sheldon

THE ARE THEY TRIPLE OK? PODCAST Building connection and comradery

R U OK? HAS LAUNCHED A NEW PODCAST SERIES TO ENCOURAGE LIFE CHANGING CONVERSATIONS, EARLY INTERVENTION AND SUPPORTIVE BEHAVIOUR AMONGST THE PEERS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE WHO WORK AND VOLUNTEER IN THE POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.

The ‘Are They Triple OK? podcast’ features personal stories and practical tools to increase social support for emergency services personnel and build a mentally healthy workplace. It also includes tips on how to ask, ‘are you OK?’ and navigate a conversation if someone is not OK.

Episode one features James Maskey, a retired front-line Queensland Police Officer. In 2013, James was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“As first responders historically, we talk about everything except for mental health and, importantly, suicidal thoughts,” said Mr Maskey. “Either because we didn’t have the confidence to have that conversation, or we were worried about the impacts of having that chat. And when I say we, I’m talking about me. Certainly, that was my experience.”

Mr Maskey says frontline first responders, in the fire truck, in the ambulance, in the patrol car, have a unique opportunity to get to know their colleagues.

“You know what they like to eat, their coffee order and what their family and their children are up to,” he said. “You know the intimate details of their lives because you’ve got a long time in the car sitting side by side to share so many experiences.”

Mr Maskey is now the National Sector Specialist at Fortem Australia, and is

passionate about enhancing the mental, physical and social well-being of the first responder community.

“My advice to the emergency services community is to learn how to have an R U OK? Conversation and start having them,” he said. “If someone is struggling, reaching out for help can feel like a heavy thing to do, it can be a hard task and it can feel overwhelming.

“But when you take the time to ask someone how they’re travelling, you can take some of the weight off and some of the burden away. People are often relieved to have a conversation and feel that level of camaraderie.”

The ‘Are They Triple OK? podcast’ is hosted by Matt Newlands, R U OK? Community Ambassador and former police officer is one of a suite of free resources available from R U OK? for those who work in the police and emergency services, their families and friends. The podcast and resources including a conversation guide and personal stories that demonstrate the life changing impact of an R U OK? conversation can be found at ruok. org.au. The ‘Are They Triple OK? podcast’ will also be available for download on a range of streaming services, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Audible.

‘Are They Triple OK?’ was developed in response to the Beyond Blue nationwide

‘Answering the call’ survey which found more than half of all police and emergency services employees indicated they had experienced a traumatic event that had deeply affected them during the course of their work. Positively, personnel with higher levels of social support and resilience reported lower levels of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

“The results from ‘Answering the Call’ showed us that the support of peers, family and friends does make a difference for those who work in frontline services. It’s OK to not be OK. It’s OK to lean on each other, and it’s OK to retire that unhelpful stereotype of being that six-foot bulletproof superhero,” said Maskey.

“I would urge leaders to explore vulnerability to share their own story if they have one, or to support others to share their own story as well. We know that this helps in demystifying mental health.”

If you’re worried about someone and feel they need professional support, encourage them to contact their Employee Assistance Program (EAP), appropriate agency support service or connect with a trusted health professional, like their local doctor.

Pinnacle Charitable Foundation is a Funding Partner of R U OK? and is proud to fund the ‘Are they Triple OK?’ campaign. Specialised wellbeing and mental fitness support for first responders and their

families can be accessed through Fortem Australia at fortemaustralia.org.au. For 24/7 for crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Text support is also available: 0477 13 11 14.

About ‘Are They Triple OK?’

• ‘Are They Triple OK?’ is an R U OK? initiative that encourages higher levels of peer and social support for police and emergency services workers and volunteers nationwide.

• The initiative responds to key recommendations in the Beyond Blue ‘Answering the call’ survey into the mental health and wellbeing of Australia’s police and emergency services workers.

• The initiative focuses on the support networks around our police and emergency services workers and volunteers, both at home and in the workplace e.g., supervisors, volunteers, friends and family.

• ‘Are They Triple OK?’ provides free digital and printable resources.

• Resources include storytelling from police, fire, ambulance, and SES employees and volunteers to ensure the voices of lived experience are heard and to model the life-changing impact of an R U OK? conversation.

• Pinnacle Charitable Foundation is a Funding Partner of R U OK? and is proud to fund the ‘Are they Triple OK?’ campaign.

• ‘Are They Triple OK?’ can be found on the R U OK? website at ruok.org.au and is distributed through the existing communication channels of each service.

About R

U OK?

• R U OK? is a public health promotion charity that aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with friends, family and colleagues who might be struggling with life.

• A renowned suicide prevention theory is that of Dr Thomas Joiner . Joiner’s theory describes three forces at play in someone at risk of suicide, one of which is a decreased sense of belonging. This lack of belonging and sense of connection is what R U OK? are working to prevent.

• R U OK?Day is an annual National Day of Action; held on the second Thursday of September (14 September 2023) and a reminder that every day is a day to start a conversation that could change a life.

• Throughout the year R U OK? delivers free resources that increase the willingness and confidence of all Australians to recognise the signs someone is struggling, start a genuine conversation and lend appropriate support. R U OK? also tailors these resources to meet the needs of targeted population groups and settings.

• R U OK? draws on the valuable lived experience of Australians in the development all campaigns.

• R U OK?Day was founded in 2009 by adman Gavin Larkin who tragically lost his father to suicide in 1995. Larkin (who died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2011) wanted to spare other families the grief his family endured.

• A spark of an idea has since become a nationwide community movement that encourages everyone to genuinely ask the question and have a meaningful conversation with those in their world who might be struggling.

• Conversation tips and crisis support contacts can be found at ruok.org.au

About Fortem Australia

• Fortem Australia is a not-for-profit organisation that supports the mental fitness and wellbeing of first responder families - the people who protect and care for Australian communities.

• As a result of their occupation, first responders in national security and emergency service roles experience high psychological distress, experience suicidal thoughts, and have suicide plans at rates significantly higher than the average Australian adult.

• Tragically, first responder families are also impacted through ‘spillover stress’, with many experiencing secondary trauma and stresses that cascade from first responder employment.

• Fortem Australia provides free evidence-based mental fitness and wellbeing support to the first responder

community. We run wellbeing activities designed to connect families and build communities, provide psychology support to first responders and their families, as well as supporting those looking for new life and career opportunities following service.

• Fortem Australia’s wellbeing activities are making a difference in the lives of first responders across the country, increasing social connectedness among the first responder community. Nearly all (97 per cent) of participants felt that the Fortem activity benefited their health and wellbeing.

• Fortem’s clinical support team are highly experienced in the challenges and traumas that first responders and their families go through. One in four psychology sessions are provided directly to family members of first responders.

• Fortem Australia’s Transition and Employment Program provides specialised career management support to transitioning first responders, delivered by an expert team with lived experience in various first responder agencies.

• As we approach four years of operation, Fortem Australia has received over 23,500 wellbeing activity registrations and provided more than 3,600 psychology sessions to first responders and their families across the country. More information can be found at https://fortemaustralia.org.au/

ESF IMPACT Embrace Equity Newsletter, issue 39

The Emergency Services Foundation (ESF) brought together 190 people from across the emergency management sector to celebrate International Women’s Day with support from WorkSafe Victoria. The program addressed the 2023 IWD theme embrace equity which aimed to drive worldwide understanding why equal opportunities aren’t enough. The day began by making the distinction between equality and equity. Equality is about fairness, or making sure everyone has the same access to resources and opportunities. Equity is about tailoring resources and opportunities needed to reach and equal outcome. The example of giving everyone the same bike was used. Not everyone can ride that bike unless it suits their individual differences.

Caroline Kell, a Mbarbrum woman, delivered the keynote address which raised awareness about Aboriginal history and identity, and its legacy for achieving goals of diversity and inclusion. She encouraged the sector to provide spaces where people can show up and be who they really are.

WorkSafe representatives spoke about the many forms of workplace gender violence experienced in workplaces and how it impacts psychological safety and Kellie Shewring CEO at Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry led a

discussion with a lively panel about whether women lead differently and is this helpful for the sector. The panel agreed authentic leadership regardless of gender is most important.

Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent shared some alarming statistics about the gender pay gap in the sector and the need to tackle obstacles to change, such as, unconscious bias, and personal self-doubts that contribute to a ‘confidence gap’ which prevents women from taking up job and promotion opportunities. Women shared stories with their male sponsors about how men had supported their careers, and this demonstrated so well how men are a fundamental in driving equity.

The last session focused on a more diverse future in emergency management with intersectionality and voices from other diversities recognised, including perspectives from the trans community, people living with disability, older people, youth and women of colour. This was followed by a reflection about the need for different forms of self-care.

By celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness about discrimination, and encouraging people to act, ESFs IWD event is critical for building momentum in the sector to drive gender and social parity.

Responses

It has been a great gathering of minds to get insights into the challenges men and women face to achieve equity in the sector today.

It was wonderful to feel the energy in the room and hear stories of people wanting to improve.

VicPol

There is great value in sharing experiences about diversity and inclusion across the emergency management sector.

The day has reenergised me to question and challenge the advances we have made in this sector.

I was particularly impressed with the opportunity to listen to some broader and more diverse voices!

Paul James President Life Saving Victoria /Area Manager Ambulance Victoria

Natalie MacDonald CEO Country Fire Authority

Superintendent Paul Bertoncello

Kate Fitzgerald CEO EMV

Andrew Crisp Emergency Management Commissioner

Newsletter, issue 43

ESF IMPACT One Step at a Time for Wellbeing

As Tony Pearce, Chair of the Emergency services Foundation walked across Victoria from Melbourne to Mallacoota over the Alpine Range to Wodonga and back to Melbourne it was evident that not only the trees bore the scars of recent disasters. The people did too.

The Trek aimed to raise awareness of ESF and the work it does to get ahead of the mental health harm faced by people in Victoria’s emergency services. Along the way more than 140 people joined Tony on the road and hundreds of others met him at events hosted by local brigades and units to bring agencies together with supporters such as Rotary. Everyone relished the opportunity to connect, talk and reflect on how the job too often creates personal mental health challenges.

According to Tony, there is no doubt it was hard walking for 50 days in temperatures ranging from 38 degrees to minus two on Mt Hotham, but he knew when it would end and that he’d recover. He said, “For people who have fallen over

through mental ill health they often cannot see that light at the end of the tunnel and their journey can be one step forward and one back. We need to do so much more at the front end to stop people getting ill in the first place.”

Tony crossed the finish line walking into the MCG and ESFs Better Together lunch through a guard of honour on 10 May having clocked up 1506km one step at a time on his Trek. The lunch, presented by WorkSafe and sponsors BMS Advisory, ESSSuper & Gallagher Bassett , saw three hundred guests gathered to celebrate his achievement and acknowledge the outcomes.

Four people who Tony spent time with on his Trek spoke with MC Ray Chamberlain about the impact of the Trek on them and local communities and how the early intervention programs ESF wants to introduce with funds raised will make a positive difference to people across the sector. Peter Brick FFM said, ‘Programs such as these would make a real difference to our people who suffered so badly, and still are, post the 2019/20 summer fires.’

Responses

Dr Narelle Beer Director WorkSafe

It was a fantastic opportunity to see how far the important conversation regarding mental health has progressed and the collective commitment across the sector to grow this support. I was honoured to be a part of the day.

Rick Jones Head of Operations EML

It was fantastic to be present at the recent ESF function and witness the arrival of Tony after his incredible effort. I was excited by the conversation around early intervention and ESFs Residential Wellbeing Program. This will be a game changer for our emergency workers, building essential resilience such that they can continue to serve our State without paying such a deep personal price to themselves and their loved ones.

Shane Bilsborough Moving Mindz

Our ES workers need so much help to protect them. We go to them when we are in trouble but where do they go? Seeing the work of ESF unite people to a common goal was wonderful.