About Victoria State Emergency Service

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is a volunteer-based organisation that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing emergency assistance to minimise the impact of emergencies and strengthen the community’s capacity to plan, respond and recover, when emergencies occur. VICSES is the control agency for storm, flood, earthquake, tsunami and landslide throughout Victoria, and provides the largest road rescue network in Australia.

Mitigation

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Assist Municipal councils in the development of emergency management plans for VICSES Control hazards including assistance to incorporate an all hazards risk management approach

1.2, 1.4

Increase individual capacity and capability of the community to prepare and respond by engaging with communities providing storm, flood, earthquake, tsunami and landslide risk information, community education and engagement

1.1, 2.1

Provide information to the community and government

2.1, 2.3

Assist emergency management planning committees in the facilitation of municipal risk assessments that consider and improve safety and resilience of the community from hazards and emergencies through the facilitation of Community Emergency Risk Assessment program

1.2, 1.3, 1.4

Support the multi-agency approach in the provision of advice, information, training and assistance to Municipal councils and agencies in relation to emergency management principles and practice

1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 4.5, 4.6

Engage with communities to build their resilience in preventing and managing emergencies, through targeted and general education programs

6.4

Participating agency for the earthquake mitigation activity: community engagement, education and awareness

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the following flood mitigation activities:

  • community engagement, education and awareness
  • flood emergency planning including readiness
  • Total Flood Warning System

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Participating agency for the storm mitigation activity: community engagement, education and awareness

Table 8: Participating agencies for mitigation

Response (including Relief)

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Control agency for:

  • storm, flood, landslide, tsunami and earthquake
  • accidents involving building collapse
  • rescue incidents involving building structures

3.1, 12.3

Table 9: Control agencies for response

Provide continuous protection of life, property and the environment:

 
  • through rescue of persons from road crash, and rescue of persons endangered by steep and high angle incidents, swift water and other emergencies or dangerous situations

3.1, 12.3

  • from the effects of fire, accidents and other hazards through Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements
3.2, 12.4
  • from the effects of flood and storm, accidents and other hazards through initial impact assessment at the request and in support of, the state requirements
11.1

Provide key support for:

 
  • Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements

3.2, 12.1, 12.3

  • search and rescue on land and water evacuations and incidents involving mass casualties
3.2, 5.2, 8.2, 12.1, 12.3

Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional areas:

  • responder agencies
  • rescue (aircraft, rail, tram, industrial, road)

Table 10: Support agencies for response

Provide the emergency response development function to each emergency response region

3.2

Support controller through providing human and other resources for relief and recovery activities where appropriate

3.2

Recovery

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Assess, restore, clear and rehabilitate VICSES managed public buildings and assets (e.g. public amenities, unit buildings)  

19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.7

Support the Controller by providing assistance and advice to individuals, families and communities who have been affected by flood, storm, tsunami, earthquake of landslide

20.6

Assurance and Learning

For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.