PORT CAMPBELL, VIC. — Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Port Campbell Unit volunteers have showcased their high-angle rescue expertise, joining Victoria Police and other first responders as part of a multi-agency rescue exercise recently held along the Great Ocean Road.
The initiative, held in May and led by Victoria Police, simulated a patient trapped at the base of the sheer Gibson Steps beach and saw highly-skilled VICSES volunteers traverse the near-vertical drop and descend to the sand below, working with paramedics to stabilise the patient before ascending them back up the rockface in a basket stretcher for further care.
Aimed at increasing awareness of the specialist skills of local volunteers and sparking more frequent collaboration between emergency services in the state’s southwest, the simulated rescue also included oversight by Victoria Police Search and Rescue teams, who serve as the lead agency in the event of a high or steep-angle rescue being required in the community.
The practical rescue operation was preceded by a table-top discussion held at Port Campbell Surf Lifesaving Club, where participants worked through a simulated scenario involving the rescue of patients aboard a downed tourist helicopter close to shore near the 12 Apostles, Tristan Crews, VICSES Operations Officer, Emergency Management, stated.
“High angle rescue is such a vital skillset in the state’s southwest and our VICSES Port Campbell Unit is one of several local units which take great pride in being able to offer this capability to their community,” MR Crews said.
Involved in the discussion were Victoria Police, including local command, Search and Rescue and Airwing personnel, Ambulance Victoria (local command and HEMS operators), Surf Lifesaving Victoria, CFA and FRV crews, Parks Victoria, Coast Guard, local government and the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, each contributing their own unique outlook and considerations to the mock rescue.
Peter and Luke, both highly-trained VICSES Port Campbell Unit volunteers with a wealth of high-angle rescue knowledge and experience, led the unit’s input during the tabletop exercise, which was also attended by a significant cohort of the unit’s more than 20 active volunteers.
VICSES Port Campbell Unit is well-known for its high-angle rescue capability statewide, with volunteers often tasked with navigating sheer cliff faces and treacherous terrain to effect rescues along the Great Ocean Road and beyond.
“Gaining experience responding alongside partner agencies is invaluable for when it comes to a real-life emergency, so to have so many of our fellow first responders come together for this initiative is incredible and ensures our local responders can Work As One to save lives,” MR Crews said.
So far in the 2025/26 financial year, VICSES Port Campbell Unit volunteers have been called to one high-angle rescue and have assisted other agencies with rescues on five occasions, in addition to almost 90 requests for assistance relating to storm damage and downed trees.
