Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers respond to many different types of emergency situations. These are called ‘incidents’, and there is a national framework for incident management that emergency service organisations follow. Visit the AFAC website for more information.

VICSES volunteers who have successfully gained qualifications in general search and rescue and other more specialist skills are encouraged to undertake further training to develop their capability in the leadership and management of emergency incidents.

Some key roles in Incident Management include:

• Being a member of an Incident Management Team.
• Attending and working at an Incident Control Point.
• Logistics.
• Mapping.
• Issuing public information and warnings.
• Media.
• Staging Area Management.
• Division Sector Command.

Key tasks:

• Take control to effectively manage an emergency incident, with a focus on the safety of all involved. 
• Reducing the impacts and consequences of emergencies.

What you will love about these roles:

• Having the skills and training to take charge in an emergency.
• Being one of the first on scene during a severe weather event.
• Helping emergency service volunteers to do what they train for and achieve great outcomes.
• The rewarding feeling of helping the community during emergencies, saving lives and property.

Advised Fitness Level: 1-3 out of 5

Different levels of physical fitness may be required while managing an emergency, depending on the type of incident that you are responding to or supporting.  

Physical fitness requirements for specialist roles are listed below:

• Responding to storms
• Road Crash Rescue
• Search and Rescue
• Rescue Boat

Managing incidents as part of an Incident Management Team does not require a specific level of physical fitness. 

Read more about our Minimum Physical Fitness for Role Program here.

Units requiring this role:

All units encourage experienced volunteers with identified capabilities to pursue incident management qualifications.

For more information about becoming a volunteer and to explore a wide range of training and other opportunities available to you, click on ‘Become a volunteer’ below and complete your details on the ‘Enquire about Volunteering’ section. 

An email will be sent to you with further information and a link to complete an Expression of Interest form. Your selected VICSES unit headquarters that are near to you will then be in contact with you within a few weeks.

Hear what our volunteers say about their experience with VICSES. 

If you are interested in developing new skills, forming new friendships, and contributing positively to the community, take the journey with us now. You will also be provided with nationally accredited competency-based training to ensure you are skilled and capable to perform your role.