Volunteers hone search and rescue skills in major exercise at Lake Eppalock

25/06/2025, 1:23 AM
VICSES volunteers worked closely with key emergency partners including Victoria Police during large-scale, scenario-based training held at Lake Eppalock recently.

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers have joined forces with key emergency partners in a large-scale, scenario-based training exercise at Lake Eppalock, designed to sharpen their vital marine search and rescue capabilities.

Held over the weekend of 21–22 June, the two-day exercise brought together personnel and resources from VICSES, Marine Search and Rescue (MSAR), Victoria Police Water Police and Air Wing, and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), in a coordinated simulation of two scenario based complex search and rescue operations.

The exercise, led by the VICSES, provided a controlled and immersive environment for volunteers who are currently working towards their Coxswain qualification. The training supported the ongoing development of essential skills in navigation, search coordination, casualty management, and inter-agency communication.

The scenario-based training included two realistic emergency simulations:

  • Exercise 1: A search for two missing skydivers, requiring coordinated land, water, and aerial search operations based on activated beacon signals and survivability assessments.
  • Exercise 2: A search for two missing kayakers, focusing on inland marine search techniques and the application of first aid and extraction procedures in challenging conditions.
VICSES volunteers refined inland marine search techniques on Sunday as part of a mock-search for two missing kayakers.

Each scenario involved the deployment of SES rescue boat vessels, use of advanced communication systems, activation of training beacons, and collaboration with air and marine-based response assets.

The exercise also aimed to improve equipment familiarity and reinforce command, control, and sectorisation practices across agencies. Hands-on experience with SES radio systems, marine safety gear, and aerial coordination protocols provided participants with valuable exposure to real-world operating conditions.

A detailed SMEACS (Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration, Communication and Safety) framework supported the planning and delivery of the exercise, which also included risk assessments, debriefing sessions, and lessons learned for future inter-agency collaboration.

The weekend saw almost 60 VICSES volunteers rotating through the exercise, and was made possible thanks to the planning and input of VICSES Western Region, Victoria Police Water Police and Air Wing, AMSA, MSAR, and Emergency Management Victoria (EMV).

Consider volunteering, there are many ways to get involved, with flexible and inclusive opportunities available for people from all walks of life. For more info, visit, www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Acting Operations Manager, Justin Navas:

“As the control agency for flood and a key responder to inland water rescue, it is essential our volunteers are confident and capable when it comes to boat-based search and rescue.

“Exercises like this allow our crews to apply their training in a dynamic, realistic setting, while strengthening our partnerships with other emergency agencies.”