Cade Lucas
Dozens of volunteers from the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) took to the Maribyrnong River on Sunday for a large-scale training exercise.
About 70 SES volunteers representing 17 units. took part in the training event on April 6 which was designed to strengthen and improve the service’s boat rescue capabilities.
They filled 15 rescue boats that took off from the Williamstown boat ramp on the Yarra River and then headed upstream to the Maribyrnong where training focused on simulating rescues in fast-flowing water conditions.
Crews operated Inflatable Rescue Boats (IRBs) and Rescue Boats (RBs) on the Maribyrnong, navigating variable conditions and tidal depths ranging from one to three metres.
Volunteers also established a forward command post to coordinate operations and practised key capabilities such as radio communications and inter-agency coordination, with other key emergency services including Victoria Police’s water police squad and Parks Victoria also taking part.
With the Maribyrnong River experiencing major floods in 2022 and the VICSES the main control agency for such events, flood operations and water rescue exercises accounted for much of the training, along with swift water rescues and marine search and rescue missions.
“Our mission is to make sure our crews are fully prepared for real-world emergencies, training like this ensures we maintain a high standard of skill, safety, and readiness across our teams, because when flooding strikes, seconds matter,” said VICSES training coordinator George Haitidis.
“Familiarising ourselves with waterways like the Maribyrnong River – especially those that have seen flooding, is essential. Local knowledge is a powerful tool when it comes to keeping people safe during fast-moving emergencies.”
VICSES assistant chief officer Natalie Kenely said training exercises like last Sunday’s were not only vital to maintaining skills and awareness, but demonstrated the commitment SES volunteers had to protecting their fellow Victorians.
“Giving up their weekend to train on the water shows the kind of passion and professionalism we see across VICSES every day,” Ms Kenely said.
