Volunteer roles

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) provides emergency assistance to thousands of Victorians every year. Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, and come from all walks’ of life, ages and backgrounds.

On this page:

Each of our volunteers receives accredited, recognised training as part of their role, ranging from first aid, general rescue, chainsaw operations, community education, media training and much more. You can read more about training on the training for new volunteers page.

You will find our volunteers assisting their local communities throughout Victoria in rural, regional and metropolitan locations; on the front lines, in emergency planning and strategy centres, and providing education to help community members understand what to do when an emergency strikes.

We have teachers working alongside electricians, retirees and university students. The diversity of our members is the key to our success.

From floods, storms, search and rescue, road crash rescue and much more – there’s a position for everyone at VICSES, and anyone can make a valuable contribution.

Click the images below to learn more about each role:

Responding to storms

Participating in emergency response operations resulting from storms and other severe weather events is done through a combination of training and on the job experience, working in a team of people.

Rescue Boat crew

Be part of the rescue boat crew - either as a deckhand, crewperson or coxswain and learn skills for crewing a rescue boat.  
 

Community engagement

A number of roles are available for volunteer members to help create awareness of emergencies and emergency preparedness in their local communities

Search and Rescue

VICSES has a number of volunteer search and rescue roles, including flood and swift water rescue, search and rescue in remote environments, and road, air, industrial or rail incidents. 

Managing units

There are a number of roles for volunteers who want to help us run our units as efficiently and effectively as possible.

 

Support Unit member

VICSES is made up of volunteer units who support our head office and regional offices. You can provide support at one of these units.


 

Volunteers who lead emergency responses

VICSES volunteers who have successfully gained qualifications in general search and rescue and other more specialist skills can develop their capability in the leadership and management of emergency incidents.

Road Crash Rescue response

Road Crash Rescue (RCR) is a critical service delivered on a daily basis by VICSES and other emergency response agencies across the State. 
Join a Road Crash Rescue accredited unit and provide life saving response to road accidents. 

Roles for juniors

VICSES is a child safe, child friendly organisation. This means that we value children and their safety, engagement and education