New gear for VICSES Falls Creek Unit

New gear for VICSES Falls Creek Unit

Published: 29/08/2019

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) is well prepared this snow season, with the addition of two new state-of-the-art snowmobiles, thanks to the Victorian Government.

These new vechiles are a vital addition to the VICSES Falls Creek Unit, who provide additional capability to perform critical rescues across alpine areas.

The snowmobiles, valued at $26,500, were purchased through the State Government’s Volunteer Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP) grant and brings the VICSES Falls Creek Unit fleet up to eight.

Each snow mobile provides an extra capability when assisting Victoria Police with alpine search and rescue operations all year round – enabling faster responses and additional mobility.

Over the past 12 months, VICSES volunteers have been deployed to almost 400 search and rescues.

VICSES volunteers hold comprehensive weekly training, to ensure best practice when performing search and rescue operations.  

The extensive alpine search and survival training is aimed at providing members with the knowledge and skills to locate lost persons, using search and survival techniques suited to alpine environments.

The Falls Creek Unit was established in 1981 and is made up of 33 active members, three of which have served their community with VICSES for more than 30 years!


Quotes attributable to Brendan Corboy, Acting VICSES North East Regional Manager

“These new snowmobiles are a vital asset for our VICSES Falls Creek volunteers, who now have a new state-of-the art tool to utilise when supporting Victroria Police during critical rescues across the Alpine region.”

“I want to thank the Victorian Government for its support, enabling our volunteers to have access to new equipment which will go a long way to help the Falls Creek members provide their crucial service to the community.” 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa Neville
 

“We are proud to provide two new snowmobiles for the Falls Creek Unit so volunteers can continue their vital work on the mountain, not only during the snow season, but all year round.”

“Our VICSES volunteers work tirelessly in all conditions—rain, wind and snow—so it’s important they have the resources they need to conduct rescues and respond to incidents across the entire state.”

 

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