First responders refine emergency approach in mock riverfront rescue

06/08/2025, 1:03 PM
VICSES Manningham and Nillumbik unit volunteers conducted the multi-agency mock rescue on land and water, working closely with Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and VICSES Eastern Metro Regional Unit volunteers throughout.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers from Melbourne’s north east suburbs undertook vital training with their police and paramedic counterparts earlier this week, strengthening their response to complex search and rescue emergencies in adverse riverside terrain in the process.

Around 50 SES volunteers from the Manningham and Nillumbik units as well as from VICSES’ Eastern Metro Regional Unit honed their skills as part of the annual multi-agency event at Warrandyte’s Pound Bend on 4 August, utilising their land and water rescue capacity in conjunction with fellow first responders.

The mock rescue scenario, which was loosely based on previous searches undertaken by Victoria Police and VICSES volunteers in the local area, offered first responders an ideal opportunity to hone their navigation and casualty handling skills in challenging night-time conditions, while sharing important operational experience with other local emergency service providers.

The exercise allowed VICSES Manningham Unit’s specialist boat rescue crews to take to the fast-moving Yarra River, showcasing their on-water expertise and providing a valuable alternative perspective to support the wider search effort.

In support of volunteers on the ground, VICSES Eastern Metro Regional Unit also deployed its Field Operations Vehicle (FOV) to serve as a mobile Incident Control Centre, allowing representatives from each agency to work together to safely coordinate and oversee the rescue effort from a designated staging area.

Minister for Emergency Services The Hon. Vicki Ward observed the mock rescue scenario, and received a tour of VICSES' Field Operations Vehicle.

To closely replicate a real-life rescue scenario, the exercise utilised programmable electronic simulation mannequins, which required Ambulance Victoria paramedics to undertake a detailed process to stabilise and prepare each dummy for transport upon being located.

Responsible for some of Melbourne’s most diverse terrain, with a response area inclusive of a mix of undulating suburban sprawl and dense bushland environments, VICSES Manningham and Nillumbik unit volunteers have been called to more than 1,000 requests for assistance (RFAs) combined in their communities over the last 12 months.

Local crews were also called to support other emergency services a total of 75 times during this period, often providing important support to multi-agency search and rescue efforts to keep their communities safe.

To learn more about the specialist skills VICSES volunteers can provide to their communities, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer-opportunities.

Quotes attributable to Alain Doig, VICSES Manningham Unit Deputy Controller – Training:

“VICSES volunteers are constantly practicing and refining their skills to ensure they can act safely and swiftly to protect their community in a range of emergency scenarios.

“For our volunteers, these exercises are a great opportunity to work closely with Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria to replicate the challenges we do face in a real-life rescue scenario.

“It’s important to share knowledge and build rapport with our fellow first responders, and these mock rescue scenarios are a great way to showcase the way we Work As One to keep our communities safe.”