For VICSES assistance call 132 500
Emergency Call 1 Emergency Call 2

VICSES members lend support to major Grampians fire response

13/01/2025, 4:32 AM
VICSES volunteers from across the state have deployed in response to the ongoing Grampians fire, in support of their emergency service partner agencies.

Volunteers and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) staff from across the state have banded together to provide vital support to firefighters as they continue to combat a major blaze in the vicinity of the Grampians National Park.

Representatives of more than 25 VICSES units from as far afield as Wangaratta, Malvern and Mildura deployed to the state’s west over the holiday period and into the new year, providing on-the-ground aid and logistical support to Victorian and interstate emergency service providers battling to contain the 76,000-hectare fire.

The major blaze was officially deemed ‘contained’ earlier this week.

VICSES Volunteers were first deployed to the area in late December, with several local crews tasked with aiding the large-scale evacuation of Halls Gap as the blaze began to encroach on the popular holiday destination.

Others worked to support base camps established throughout the region in support of the firefighters, erecting tents and other amenities to house the hundreds of first responders active in the area.

VICSES volunteers have provided a range of support to firefighters and other first responders.

As the fire effort extended into the new year, additional VICSES volunteers were deployed to offer further ground support, overseeing the supply of portable lighting to aid firefighters working through the night, while other volunteers donated their time to ensure first responders were well catered for.

Behind the scenes, several VICSES staff were rostered to serve alongside their emergency service counterparts in incident management teams overseeing the fire response, providing resourcing support to lead agencies such as the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic).

VICSES Chief Officer Operations Tim Wiebusch (right) joined VICSES volunteers, Forest Fire Management Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman (third from right) and Department of Energy, Evironment and Climate Action Secretary John Bradley (second from left) in touring the Horsham Incident Control Centre last week.

Deployed to the Horsham Incident Control Centre (ICC) and other regional control centres throughout the state’s west, VICSES staff proved valuable additions as the fire response continued, exhibiting a range of experience in incident management and public information and warnings to ensure Grampians communities were supported and informed as their fire threat escalated.

A special thanks to the more than 60 VICSES volunteers and staff who have deployed in response to the Grampians fire since 20 December, and to all families and employers who allow VICSES volunteers to turn out in support of Victorian communities over the holiday period.

Quotes attributable to Tim Wiebusch, VICSES Chief Officer Operations:

“Being part of our community is central to everything VICSES does, and I thank all volunteers and staff who have and continue to support those communities impacted by the fires over the holiday period.

“Victoria’s first responders work as one to achieve positive outcomes for communities across the state, and the recent fire effort exemplifies this mantra.”