VICSES Hamilton Unit on lookout for locals ready to support community

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Hamilton Unit is on the search for local, like-minded individuals keen to give back to their community as part of a concerted effort to boost volunteerism in the area.

Currently home to more than 20 committed volunteers each ready to provide vital emergency assistance in times of need, VICSES Hamilton Unit is opening its doors in the coming weeks in the hopes of bolstering its volunteer-base and strengthening its capacity to support southwest communities 24/7.

Through a pair of open events at the unit’s Shakespeare Street headquarters, community members will have the perfect opportunity to learn about the equipment, vehicles and valuable skillsets their local volunteers rely upon when responding to emergencies, while gaining an insight into how they might be able to serve their community in orange.

While primarily responsible for storm and flood response in Victoria, VICSES Hamilton Unit volunteers are also part of VICSES’ vast road crash rescue (RCR) response network, one of 105 VICSES units across the state accredited and specially trained to respond to road crash emergencies.

VICSES also offers a range of opportunities suitable for all members of the community, allowing those less inclined to respond to emergencies to give back by providing valuable behind-the-scenes support to their fellow volunteers or by educating communities about VICSES hazards.

By volunteering with VICSES, members gain access to a variety of free training courses to help them support their community, with opportunities to develop nationally-accredited, transferrable skills such as chainsaw proficiency or 4WD competency.

Volunteers can also pursue further specialised training through VICSES, such as steep and high-angle rescue, alpine rescue or boat rescue, in order to provide valuable support to communities in the southwest and beyond.

Marking one of their busiest years in recent memory in 2024/25, VICSES Hamilton Unit volunteers were called to more than 170 requests for assistance (RFAs) from their community, including more than 110 RFAs relating to trees down.

Already in 2025/26, local volunteers have been called to more than 110 RFAs, largely linked to significant storm activity over recent months.

To find out more about volunteering with VICSES, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us or stop by VICSES Hamilton Unit at 58-60 Shakespear Street, Hamilton on Monday, 24 November (6pm – 8pm) or Sunday, 7 December (10am – 2pm).

Quotes attributable to Jaydan Mirtschin, VICSES Hamilton Unit Controller:

“Volunteering with VICSES is a great way to make new friends, learn new skills and give back to your community while protecting and potentially saving lives in the process.

“If you want to learn more about what our volunteers do in our community or perhaps can see yourself in orange, we’d love to welcome you to one of our open day events, give you a tour of our facilities and showcase how rewarding volunteering can be.”