VICSES offers a variety of volunteer search and rescue roles in remote and harsh environments, as well as specialised search and rescue that includes flood and swift water rescue, and response to road, air, industrial and rail incidents.

A Crew Member Operational volunteer responds as part of a small team of two or more people and needs to be able to apply correct procedures to ensure a safe approach in all situations. They also need to use a range of equipment and rescue techniques, and work under the direction of a Crew Leader.   

The Crew Member role builds on the skills and training of the Crew Member Level 1 role, and is a pre-requisite to further skills development in these more specialist areas.

Key tasks:

• Responding to emergency events and incidents that require search and rescue.
• Planning and preparing for an emergency and undertaking safe work practices.
• Liaising, assisting, and supporting other emergency services personnel.
• Knowledge and application of emergency management principles and structures.
• Knowledge of preparing, setting up and the use of relevant equipment and VICSES vehicles.

What you will love about this role:

• Working in small teams to save lives and keep the community safe. 
• Being one of the first on scene during a severe weather event or rescue in a difficult or complex situation.
• The challenge of search and rescue in remote and often harsh terrain.
• Supporting other emergency services partners such as Victoria Police, Fire Rescue Victoria, Ambulance Victoria and Country Fire Authority.

Advised Fitness Level: 3-5 out of 5

VICSES members participate in a range of search and rescue activities, some of which can be very physically demanding. To be active in a search and rescue role, each and every qualified member needs to possess the physical capability to: 

• Lift and carry various items, between a vehicle and where they will be used.
• Participate in a stretcher carry.
• Be physically capable to: 
  • Lift, carry and drag various items to and from an incident and around the worksite. 
  • Clear debris at an incident. 
  • Carry, hold and use ropes and tools. 
  • Depending on the role, walk, carrying an appropriate backpack in urban 
  • Environments, moderate bushland, or alpine and arduous search environments.

Specialist rescue roles, including Land Based Swift Water Rescue and Steep and High Angle Rescue have increased physical fitness requirements.

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

Units requiring this capability

All units require this capability to support our communities and it is a gateway for further specialist search and rescue training. Specialist search and rescue roles are limited to units where the specialist capability is required.

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.