Time and Commitment at Whitehorse Unit
Training occurs every Monday night from 7:30pm until about 9.30pm.
New recruits serve an initial three month probationary training period. At the completion of this period successful participants are assigned to teams and attend callouts under the close supervision of more experienced members.
All members train on Monday nights regardless of experience, in order to broaden their knowledge base, develop existing skills and keep up to date with the latest technology and methodology.
Accredited qualifications which may be gained from undertaking courses in first aid, occupational health and safety, chain saw operation, boating, and heavy vehicle driver training.
Other training opportunities include four wheel driving, bush navigation, rooftop safety, the correct operation, use and maintenance of pumps, chainsaws, generators, portable lighting, airborne search and rescue observation and much more.
Volunteers are required to attend Monday night training whenever possible and to make themselves available when their team is rostered on, approximately two 12 hour shifts a fortnight.
Members should also try to be available when emergencies arise that require greater resources than a single team can handle and for special courses and activities on weeknights and weekends.
Other crucial times include search and rescues during which it is critical that casualties be located as quickly as possible, and evidence searches when a scene must be lit or searched before being contaminated by weather and the general public.
There is a minimum 100 hours per year training requirement. However we understand that certain jobs do not accommodate leave and that during times in everybody's life there are busy periods, due to family needs etc.
Members are expected only to contribute what time they can and have the option of going 'Inactive' if they do not wish to leave the service but are unable to attend for an extended period.
Requirements
If you have a genuine desire to help others, and you wish to be a member of a team that looks out for each other in situations that are often stressful and sometimes dangerous, then this may be for you.
You will acquire new skills and develop personal resilience and resourcefulness.You must also be over 18 and reasonably fit.
While a manual driver's license or truck driver’s license is not a prerequisite it would be very beneficial.
You must be able to get to the unit by your own means promptly, at any time of day or night, as we are an emergency service. (However you are not always on call, for example work and family commitments are taken into account).
Potential members also need to be aware that adequate literacy and numeracy skills are needed to complete the training requirements.
You will also be required to make yourself available at short notice for call-outs and on a frequent basis for training, as detailed under Time Commitment.
The contribution made by members who have retired from the workforce, who are students, or are self-employed are of particular value, especially during weekday working hours and long nights when there may be no opportunity to sleep until the next morning.
SES volunteers don’t do it for the income, we do it for the outcome
Register to be a VICSES Volunteer
Volunteering for VICSES can be one of the most rewarding and best investments you can make! As a volunteer, you can make a difference.
Volunteers have a wide range of opportunities to develop new skills, form new friendships, accept high levels of responsibility and enjoy the team spirit of a tightly knit unit.
