Today, our Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Fawkner Unit volunteers celebrated the official opening of their new facility, located at 1161 Sydney Road, Hadfield, and funded by the Victorian Government’s $125 million investment in VICSES capital works.

Photo credit: VICSES

The newly built VICSES Fawkner Unit site, spans more than 5,000 square meters and includes a five-bay motor room, modern kitchen, and expanded office space fully equipped with fit-for-purpose IT and communications equipment.

Construction on the facility began in February 2022 and the site is now operational.

Not only will it better equip our existing volunteers to perform their role, but will provide additional space for training, and help support the retention of current volunteers and recruitment of new ones.

The last two financial years have been two of the three busiest on record for VICSES with our volunteers responding to over 34,000 Requests For Assistance last financial year.

Comprising approximately 50 members, the unit has responded to more than 2,800 requests for assistance in the last five years.

For over 50 years, VICSES Fawkner Unit volunteers have served the community, and are among the most active units across Victoria.

Photo credit: VICSES

This fit-for-purpose facility, will help VICSES to recruit more dedicated volunteers to the unit, as well as to continue protecting the Victorian community responding to rescues, floods and storms, and provide valuable assistance to Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and fire services in emergency response efforts.

The project was funded as part of the Victorian Government’s significant investment in VICSES facilities stretching to over $130 million, which is being delivered by the Community Safety Building Authority (CSBA).

This is the seventh facility to be delivered by CSBA under the VICSES High Priority Infrastructure Program with several new builds now in the pipeline across the state.

VICSES volunteers are here, on the ground, for when their community need it most and have also sent teams interstate to support our partner State Emergency Services.

Whether it’s flood rescue – or land searches, clearing trees or tarping roofs, or assisting other emergency service agencies in their important work. Out volunteers are here to support their local communities.

Photo credit: VICSES

Among unit members and family and friends, also present for the opening of the new facility was Kathleen Matthews-Ward, Member for Broadmeadows and representative for Minister of Emergency Services, as well as Lizzie Blandthorn, Member for Western Metropolitan Region, Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp, senior VICSES representatives and VICSES members from surrounding units.

Photo credit: VICSES