More than 50 volunteers and emergency responders participated in large-scale land and water-based search and rescue exercises at Lake Eppalock across the weekend.

Saturday’s training, carried out by VICSES Loddon Region units with the assistance of Life Saving Victoria and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard, involved a series of simulated requests for assistance (RFAs) requiring volunteers to efficiently navigate the lake, search and then tow assets to safety while working in a multi-agency capacity.

The exercises also provided an ideal opportunity for volunteers and staff to refine their skills with a VICSES Field Operations Vehicle (FOV), maintaining command of the exercise from the lake’s shore.

Life Saving Victoria remotely-piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) drones assisted in bolstering VICSES’ strategic command throughout the day, providing an aerial view to assist communication between volunteers on the water and the FOV.

A second large-scale training scenario on Sunday saw volunteers carry out a major search for an overdue vessel, with a mixture of VICSES volunteers and plastic dummies serving as casualties in the vicinity of the lake.

Over several hours, volunteers coordinated searches with the VICSES FOV, and successfully carried out a number of practical rescues from the lake and surrounding areas.

VICSES has several volunteer search and rescue roles, including Land Based Swift Water Rescue, Rescue Boat Crewperson, and Coxswain, with a fleet of more than 80 Rescue Boats available state-wide.

Beginning in 2014, VICSES has been delivering Land Based Swift Water Rescue training across state, which now sees more than 300 volunteers qualified to provide this vital service.

VICSES crews are highly trained in the use of inflatable rescue boats that can be launched into water from any location, given boat ramps are often underwater during floods. They can operate in very shallow water allowing quicker access to people requiring help in water.

VICSES is the control agency for flood operations in Victoria and Rescue Boats are used to support water-based operations. VICSES volunteers are also regularly called to support Victoria Police and other agencies in water-based emergencies.

Quotes attributable to Will Boyd, VICSES Trainer:

“The training exercises recently conducted at Lake Eppalock represented the largest-scale scenarios VICSES has conducted in the region for some time.

“Seeing so many volunteers take the opportunity to improve and refine their skillset is pleasing, and will ensure we are always well-prepared to respond to a water-based emergency.

“VICSES volunteers are always working to add more tools to their belt, and these large training exercises play a key role in that process.”