SES volunteers travel to Queensland as part of multiagency deployment

Today 28 Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers and staff alongside 25 of our Country Fire Authority (CFA) colleagues, are heading to Queensland to assist local emergency services and communities in their ongoing response to severe flooding and storms.

The deployment follows the impact of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred across the state's southeast. 

Support efforts will be largely focused on boots on the ground operations, with SES volunteers using their training and substantial experience of Chainsaw Operation and the Safe Working at Heights System (SWAHS) to remove trees down over roads and properties and repair building damage such as roof repairs.

Victoria may be requested to provide additional resources to various locations over the next few days, depending on the scale of any further impacts.

Victoria’s strong and ongoing relationships with other states mean we can share personnel, skills, knowledge, equipment, and experience. Similarly, other states support Victoria following severe weather events, such as the NSWSES deployment to the state to support storm response efforts in 2024.

Quote attributable to VICSES Acting Chief Officer, Operations, Alistair Drayton:

“Our SES emergency first responders work as one, in Victoria and across the nation and we will continue to provide support wherever we can.”

“My sincere thanks to our SES volunteers who have made the commitment to support our Queensland counterpart emergency services and their local communities impacted by Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Your dedication to the role is truly commendable.”