Generous vehicle donations strengthen emergency preparedness

COMMUNITY members in the state’s northeast have banded behind their local Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) unit, kindly donating their unwanted vehicles to allow volunteers to practice life-saving rescue skills to begin the new year. Following a busy start to 2025 which saw VICSES Wangaratta Unit volunteers called to three road accidents in a week, a social media post calling for donations of previously-loved vehicles was issued, to allow volunteers to properly simulate road crash rescue (RCR) incidents during their training. With many still enjoying the season of giving, community members leapt into action, and within days, VICSES Wangaratta Unit had received more than 25 vehicles generously donated, twice their required amount for the year. “Simulating real-life rescue scenarios on a regular basis ensures our volunteers are well-prepared when called upon to save a life," said Jess Zuber, VICSES Wangaratta Unit Controller. With most RCR-accredited units undertaking simulated RCR training once a month, excess vehicles donated to VICSES Wangaratta Unit were subsequently forwarded to nearby VICSES units at Yarrawonga, Wodonga and Benalla, further strengthening VICSES’ network of RCR-accredited units. as well as building on the great relationships between units. As the largest provider of road crash rescue in Victoria, more than 100 VICSES units are accredited to respond to RCR incidents, with volunteers often required to utilise a suite of hydraulic tools to safely extricate patients from damaged vehicles in support of Victoria Police. Volunteers’ proficiency with this equipment is paramount, with VICSES Wangaratta Unit members already receiving over 20 RCR requests in the 2024/25 financial year, on the back of a record-breaking 23/24 which saw them attend 25 such incidents. VICSES Wodonga Unit volunteers are in a similar situation, having already attended almost 30 road crashes during this same period, more than they were called to in the entirety of 23/24. In Mansfield, the local SES unit attended 18 road rescues in the 23/24 financial year. Half way into the 24/25 financial year numbers are tracking similarly with members responding to nine RCR requests. Mansfield SES unit controller Ros Fauvel confirmed volunteers train in RCR once a month and need suitable cars to cut up. "The Mansfield community, Mt Buller Towing, High Country Metals and Mansfield Metals all help us to source cars," she said. Across the state, the 23/24 financial year set VICSES records for RCR callouts, with volunteers receiving more than 2,000 requests for assistance relating to incidents on Victorian roads. VICSES units across the state welcome vehicle donations to support vital skills maintenance for volunteers. After a brief break Mansfield SES training started back last Wednesday. "People interested in volunteering with the local SES can contact us via Facebook or Messenger or come along on a Wednesday night between 7 and 9pm," Ms Fauvel said.