VICSES Frankston Unit bolstered by Skye satellite facility
A brand-new state-of-the-art Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) satellite facility opened at Skye will allow VICSES Frankston volunteers greater capacity to respond to emergencies impacting their community.
Recently officially opened by Minister and member for Carrum The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny MP, the new satellite base will provide additional space for VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers to store essential equipment and vehicles across their response area, in addition to their existing Seaford base.
The satellite facility includes many of the amenities associated with a standard VICSES unit, including a two-bay motor room with a turn-out facility, changeroom amenities and a tea room.
The development is also designed to improve the efficiency with which VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers can respond to emergencies in the Skye growth corridor.
In the past 12 months, VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers have responded to almost 900 requests for assistance (RFAs), with the unit among the state’s five busiest.
In that same period, volunteers attended more than 200 jobs in Skye and its surrounding suburbs, with Carrum Downs (134) and Langwarrin (95) among the unit’s four most often-affected suburbs.
VICSES Frankston Unit volunteers have responded to an average of 1,147 RFAs each year over the last decade.
It’s forecast Frankston members will respond to 150 RFAs each year from the Skye facility, attending Road Crash Rescue (RCR) incidents, storm and flood events, and supporting their emergency service partner agencies in a range of capacities.
The increased RCR capacity will be particularly important for VICSES Frankston volunteers, who have responded to 85 RCR RFAs in the last 12 months, the second-highest figure in Victoria.
Many of the unit’s 126 volunteers were in attendance at the official opening, and are looking forward to bolstering their support for their community from the new facility into the future.
Quotes attributable to VICSES CEO, Greg Leach:
“Volunteers give up their own time to serve the local community, so they deserve modern fit for purpose facilities and equipment to continue their important work now and into the future and to be able to do it safely and effectively.”
“Our VICSES volunteers go above and beyond to protect the community and it’s critical they have modern facilities to carry out their vital role effectively and safely.”
Quotes attributable to VICSES Frankston Unit Acting Unit Controller, Brooke Bird:
“This new Skye facility is a fantastic addition to our unit’s resourcing, allowing our volunteers to provide improved and timely support throughout our local area.
“Our local community is constantly growing, and this new facility is an important way of recognising the role we continue to have throughout the region.”
