Campaspe Shire SES units risk closure if shortages persist, with many units already operating at reduced capacity. They have banded together for their ongoing recruitment drive.
SES Kyabram Unit controller Paul Octigan stressed that his precinct is in dire straits, similar to nearby units like Rochester.
“At the moment, we only have 19 volunteers — but out of those you’d lose five that aren’t operational,” he said.
“We find that most units are the same, that’s why we’re all doing this recruitment campaign.”
SES Kyabram Unit deputy controller Gail Octigan highlighted the issue for Rochy, citing the floods as a key factor in the shortages.
“Rochester and Echuca lost a lot of volunteers after the floods because they were just drained, and some moved out of the area for obvious reasons,” she said.
Echuca SES Unit hosted an open day on Saturday, June 22, with Rochy volunteers heading over to speak to the community.
On Saturday, July 13, local units will return the favour by attending the Rochester SES open day.
“The Campaspe cluster recruitment that we’ve done has been fantastic for the units as well,” Loddon SES community resilience co-ordinator Layton Miller said.
“Because the units have the networks together.
“They might do a bit of training between each, but this has really brought all the units together.”
Mr Miller emphasised that the SES offers opportunities for people with various skills and experience levels.
“The units have some really good people in them,” he said.
“We’ve got family involvement, we have a diverse range of people.
“The employment skills — we have retired people, we’ve got young people. We’ve got a diverse range of all backgrounds of people with different skill-sets.
“Every person has a skill-set, and it will be adapted to suit the needs of VICSES.”
Interested volunteers can contact the unit at rochester@ses.vic.gov.au
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