Over 300 female and gender diverse volunteers from Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) united last Saturday, March 1, for seven simultaneous events across the state as part of the ever-expanding Women in Rescue (WIR) initiative.
Now in its eighth year, ‘Women in Rescue’ was originally founded in 2018 by female volunteers for female volunteers, and has grown significantly, this year marking its largest event yet.
‘Women in Rescue’ is a hands-on training event designed to empower women in emergency operations. Volunteers will gain experience using tools and equipment, refine their rescue skills, build confidence, and collaborate in a supportive environment.
The event promotes gender diversity within the SES while encouraging recruitment and retention of female volunteers. Currently, women make up nearly 34% (1,689 out of 5,002) of VICSES’ volunteer base, and the organisation aims to increase that number to better reflect the communities it serves.
The focus of the day was practical, skills-based training, with exercises covering a wide range of emergency rescue response scenarios, with interim CEO Kate White commending the role of women in the SES.
“This year’s event is bigger than ever, and it’s fantastic to see more women and gender diverse volunteers come together to train, collaborate, and build on their skills,” Ms White said.
This event follows a demanding 2024, where SES volunteers received a yearly total of 44,380 Requests for Assistance across the state on the back of a number of storms and road rescues.
The SES takes pride in the dedication and expertise of its female and gender diverse volunteers, who play a vital role in emergency response and community safety.
“Women in Rescue is all about sharing knowledge and refining rescue techniques. The skills learned here will be taken back to units across the state, strengthening our overall capability,” Ms White said.
Overall, VICSES volunteer numbers have grown in Victoria in each of the past two years, but more are still needed to ensure we can meet the growing needs of our communities. For those interested in joining VICSES or learning more about becoming a volunteer, visit ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.
“Our female first responders are extraordinary, handling highly complex and challenging incidents,” Ms White said.
