VICSES Corryong Unit volunteers pass major training milestone

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) volunteers responsible for managing emergencies in some of the state’s most remote alpine terrain have passed a major milestone in their journey to see the unit become fully operational again.

The VICSES Corryong Unit, which is relied upon to respond to incidents along the Murray River and throughout the remote Nariel Valley in northeast Victoria, ceased Road Crash Rescue (RCR) operations last year due to a shortage of qualified volunteers.

However, with a new cohort of local members having successfully completed Crew Member Level 2 (CM2) training earlier this month, plans to bring the unit back online before the end of the year are well on track.

The dedicated group of VICSES Corryong Unit volunteers have trained on a weekly basis over the last six months, building proficiency in a range of key skills and developing camaraderie.

The recent CM2 training, which was supported by VICSES Eastern Region staff and specialist VICSES trainers from throughout the northeast, taught volunteers how to manage storm events and introduced the idea of working at heights.

Designated as a principal RCR unit alongside more than 100 other VICSES units across the state, VICSES Corryong Unit volunteers will now progress to completing specialist RCR and chainsaw proficiency training before being accredited to attend Requests for Assistance (RFAs) in support of their community.

In the interim, VICSES Corryong Unit has received significant support from VICSES Tallangatta and Wodonga Unit volunteers, as well as from NSW SES Units from across the Murray River, with the northeast community banding behind the embattled local unit.

The outpouring of support stemmed from a major recruiting drive in the town late last year, which saw several prospective volunteers come together to revitalise the Corryong Unit following a town meeting.

The efforts of the current training cohort promise to improve VICSES’ capacity throughout the northeast; however, additional operational and administrative volunteers are still required to ensure the sustainability of the VICSES Corryong Unit into the future.

To find out more about volunteering, visit https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer.

Quotes attributable to David Yule, VICSES Corryong Unit Controller.

“The community has banded together in support of VICSES, and it’s fantastic to see our volunteers growing their response capability by the week.

“It’s exciting for our volunteers to be seeing their hard work drive the unit forward, and they’re all determined to play their role in bringing this vital service back to the Corryong community.

“We hope to have the unit back online and serving our response area in the very near future.”

Quotes attributable to Dan Walton, VICSES Operations Officer Lead Trainer, North East.

“VICSES volunteers are highly trained to aid their community in a range of emergency situations.

“We’re looking forward to continuing to work with VICSES Corryong Unit volunteers with an eye to re-accrediting the unit for Road Crash Rescue response before the end of the year.”