SES News
All the latest news regarding VICSES in the community. Click on a link below to read an article in adobe PDF format.
You can also visit the SES News archives to look back at activities and events from previous years.
SES StormSafe Week: Monday 15 August - Sunday 21 August Activities being held during the week include displays, workshops and presentations. read more... |
15 August 2011 | ||
VICSES Volunteers Honoured at Awards Ceremony Over fifty VICSES volunteers were honoured yesterday at the Annual VICSES Awards Ceremony held at the Ivanhoe Centre. read more... |
21 February 2011 |
Media Releases
Recent official Media Releases from the Victoria State Emergency Service are available below (in Adobe PDF Format):
2010
2009
November | |
VICSES Operational Statistics November storms and floods | 28 November 2009 - 0940 hours |
VICSES Operational Statistics November storms and floods | 22 November 2009 - 16:00 hours |
2008
December | |
Busy Weekend for VICSES Volunteers | 14 Dec 2008 - 15.30 hours |
Media Conference Alert | 14 Dec 2008 - 12:00 hours |
VICSES Volunteers Respond to Calls for Help | 13 Dec 2008 - 13:00 hours |
Media Conference Alert | 12 Dec 2008 - 12:30 hours |
Possible Severe Weather for Victoria | 11 Dec 2008 - 17:00 hours |
November | |
Gippsland braces for more rain | 23 Nov 2008 - 10:30 hours |
Severe weather still to come | 22 Nov 2008 - 13:45 hours |
Volunteers head to Queensland | 21 Nov 2008 - 15:40 hours |
BoM Predicts Good Rain and Stong Wind | 20 Nov 2008 - 18:00 hours |
September | |
Strong Wind Predicted for Victoria | 21 Sep 2008 |
Strong Wind Predicted for Victoria | 14 Sep 2008 - 15:45 hours |
Strong Wind Warning for Victoria | 13 Sep 2008- 12:35 hours |
July | |
Operational Statistics for Strong Winds | 01 Jul 2008 - 17:00 hours |
June | |
VICSES volunteers complete all tasks | 26 Jun 2008 - 06:50 hours |
Strong Wind Warning for Victoria | 25 Jun 2008 - 18:30 hours |
Media Conference Alert - VICSES prepare for strong winds | 25 Jun 2008 - 12:35 hours |
Revive and survive this Queen's birthday weekend | 05 Jun 2008 |
2007
DECEMBER | |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 6) | 23 Dec 2007 |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 5) | 22 Dec 2007 |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 4) | 22 Dec 2007 |
VICSES Volunteers Respond to over 800 Calls | 22 Dec 2007 |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 3) | 21 Dec 2007 |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 2) | 21 Dec 2007 |
Operational Statistics for Severe Storms (Summary 1) | 21 Dec 2007 |
Busy 24 Hours for VICSES Volunteers | 21 Dec 2007 |
Wild Weather Hits Melbourne | 20 Dec 2007 |
Staying Safe During Wild Weather | 20 Dec 2007 |
Australian First For VICSES Broadband | 12 Dec 2007 |
SES Facts
Here are some SES facts that you might find useful for any public education opportunities you may have. A few interesting service statistics added to your own local statistics, can help you to make a point.
The SES
- Established 1975
- Formerly the Victoria Civil Defence Organisation
- 149 volunteer units
- 5,600 volunteers
- 72 permanent staff
- 8 regional offices
Road Accident Rescue
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101 units accredited for road accident rescue
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One of the largest single agency accredited providers of road accident rescue services in the world
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SES units attend about 1200 road accident rescues every year
Driver Reviver (formerly Operation Coffee Break)
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65 locations around Victoria
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Over 1000 volunteers involved annually
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Over 200,000 cups of tea served each year
-
Major sponsor Bushells Tea
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Easter the busiest operation
General Statistics
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More than 350,000 hours of community service contributed by SES volunteers including training and operations
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SES volunteers involved in 300 searches
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Over 8,000 operational call outs
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More than 5,000 storm damage requests for help
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Over 200 operations in support of Police and fire services
Glossary of Terms
The emergency services tend to use words and descriptions of things that most people do not understand. This short glossary is designed to help the media and the public understand what we are talking about. This list is not finished.
Callout
A callout is any job that an SES crew is sent to. Sometimes we refer to a job as a callout. ie: "We had 3 callouts last week."
Controller
The Controller is the person in charge of a Unit. The Controller is a volunteer and is responsible for the running and organisation of the Unit.
Cutters or Shears
The cutters may refer to the hydraulic rescue device that can cut through metal like a pair of large scissors. They have incredible power and can cut through almost anything on a car or truck.
Dash Hinge or Dash Push
If a person has been trapped by the legs or thighs in a motor vehicle accident, we use a technique called a dash hinge to lift the dash board up off their legs. The dashboard hinges back as we ram it out of the way.
EOC
Emergency Operations Centre - This centre will have representatives from most emergency services inside with command and control facilities such as radios, whiteboards, phones, meeting rooms and map boards. The E.O.C. will become the focus of all decision making at the higher levels during a major emergency.
EVS
Emergency Vehicle Status - when an SES vehicle uses their lights and sirens, it is driving under EVS.
Line Search
When we are asked to search for someone or something in a designated area, we may use a line search technique. A large number of SES volunteers will form a straight line and walk forwards searching in front of them as they go. This method ensures that all ground has been checked.
MVA
Motor Vehicle Accident - The term used for a collision between motor vehicles or any other car accident. The Ambulance Service tend to use Motor Car Accident (MCA).
Ram
A ram may refer to the hydraulic device used to push out metal during a road accident rescue to make more space. The ram operates under hydraulic pressure and is part of the "Jaws of Life" tools.
RCR
Road Crash Rescue - when we attend a MVA, we perform a road crash rescue.
Roof Hinge or Roof Fold
The name given to the technique where we fold back the roof of a car to access the persons inside. Two cuts are made each side of the roof in the middle and the roof is then bent over and out of the way.
RHQ
Regional Headquarters - The SES has six Regional Headquarters around Victoria.
SES Commander
The SES person in command of the SES crews on scene at a multi-agency emergency. The SES Commander is not in control of the emergency, only his/her SES crew. The SES Commander will be wearing a white hat and vest with the same wording on it.
Spreaders
The common name for the hydraulic rescue device used during a road accident rescue to spread open a door. It is commonly known as the "Jaws of Life".
TL
Team Leader - this person is in charge of an SES team. The team may vary in number. A TL may also have a Deputy TL who will assist the TL when require with command decisions. The TL will be identified wearing a hat with the letters TL on it or shoulder epaulettes with Team Leader written on them.
Trapped and Released
The SES are called to rescue people who are unable to help themselves. In a car accident, we are required to help the Ambulance Service extricate the people in the car. They are trapped by the car and cannot get out. When we free them, they are now released.
Unit
The rescue crews attending an emergency will come from one of the 149 volunteer SES Units. A Unit is the name given to the group of SES volunteers from a given location. Some examples would be, the Eltham Unit, the Knox Unit, the Ballarat Unit.
USAR or Disaster Rescue
The term USAR comes from the USA and stands for Urban Search and Rescue. We have traditionally called it Disaster Rescue. USAR activities involve the systematic search and rescue of persons trapped under debris after a building collapse or other such event. SES crews will be required to search through the debris, climbing into it, and removing debris to help locate trapped casualties. Some recent examples would be the Thredbo Landslide or the Newcastle Earthquake.
Media Centre
These pages have been designed to assist the media in collection of current, historical and statistical information about the Victoria State Emergency Service for news stories and articles.
Please Note: The Victoria State Emergency Service now has a single statewide number for all media enquiries.
The SES media duty officer can be contacted on:
1300 783 933
- Between 6am and 10pm, 7 days a week, this number will be answered by the on-call duty officer
- Between 10pm and 6am your message will be taken and passed onto the on-call duty officer who will return your call early the next morning
- In the event that VICSES is involved in major operations after hours this number will be staffed
Media outlets should remove all existing numbers for SES media enquiries from their contact directories and replace with 1300 783 933
All other information, interviews, etc. can be obtained by contacting our Media unit, via media@ses.vic.gov.au or by telephone on (03) 9684-6666.
Pictures