National volunteer well-being initiative receives international recognition

27/08/2025, 4:47 PM
VICSES Manningham Unit volunteers undertake Minimum Physical Fitness for Role testing earlier this year.

A national physical fitness standard aimed at ensuring State Emergency Service volunteers can safely undertake specialist emergency responses has received international recognition for its impact on volunteer capability and well-being.

The SES Fit for Role Implementation Group was this week honoured at the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) Conference in Perth, awarded the AFAC Workforce Capability and Wellbeing Award following the successful implementation of the program in 2023.

Known as Minimum Physical Fitness for Role within the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES), the initiative requires volunteers to demonstrate physical fitness standards once every two years to ensure they are safe to respond in the event of an emergency.

The testing aims to build a culture of well-being within SES and reduce the risk of injury for volunteers required to carry out strenuous tasks in the field.

Basic assessments include lifting, carrying and moving equipment and climbing ladders, while specialist testing to assess VICSES’ more advanced operational roles includes having volunteers drag and move tree branches, hike long distances, hold and carry rescue equipment such as chainsaws and hydraulic tools, and complete water-based swim testing.

The initiative also sees new SES recruits complete testing early in their onboarding process to ensure they are physically prepared to commence training to attend operations and emergency requests for assistance (RFAs).

Minimum Physical Fitness for Role testing often includes lifting, carrying or hauling items to simulate a real emergency.

The SES Fit for Role Implementation Group includes SES representatives from each Australian state and territory, with VICSES staff and volunteers playing a driving role in the initial research and inception of the nation-wide program.

The award was accepted by Queensland SES on behalf of the SES Fit for Role Implementation Group at Tuesday’s ceremony, with replica trophies expected to be provided to each jurisdiction later this year.

For more information about VICSES’ Minimum Physical Fitness for Role initiative, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/training-for-new-volunteers.

Quotes attributable to Terese Howlett, VICSES Manager Health and Safety and past Project Lead – Minimum fitness for role research project

“The national Fit for Role initiative is the result of years of research and planning to improve the well-being of our volunteers, so it’s fantastic to have that effort acknowledged by our emergency service peers.

“Our volunteers are constantly focusing on the well-being of others, but programs such as Fitness for Role allow us to make sure our members are just as capable of looking after their own health and minimising their risk of injury.”

Quotes attributable to John Bates, VICSES Trainer and Advisor – Fit for Role Project:

“VICSES has thrown considerable support behind making sure our volunteers are as physically prepared and able as possible to respond to emergencies in their communities, protecting Victorians in the process.

“Our VICSES volunteers train hard to be the best first responders they can be, and any support we can provide to make sure they’re able to do so safely is incredibly worthwhile.”