The Victoria State Emergency Service has honoured its female volunteers as part of the growing VICSES Women in Rescue event on Sunday, April 30.
The event celebrated the contributions of women in emergency operations as well as being as a chance for participants to get hands-on experience with tools and equipment, share rescue skills and fun.
A focus of the event was learning hands-on, practical components of rescue operations including specialised training scenarios in water and land search, map and navigation and casualty handling.
The event started in 2018 and this year was held at eight sites across Victoria, and was estimated to have had an 93 per cent increase in uptake this year.
The event also aimed to promote gender inclusion and diversity within VICSES and encourage the recruitment and retention of female VICSES volunteers.
Currently, 1655 of the 4893 VICSES volunteers are female — 34 per cent of the force.
VICSES chief executive Stephen Griffin said that Women in Rescue aimed to bring women together to network and learn and support each other.
“It is critical that we reflect the communities we serve and build the confidence and leadership among our women in orange,” he said.
“Our female first responders at VICSES are incredible and attend highly complex, challenging incidents.
“Our Women in Rescue event showcases their life-saving skills, using the latest rescue technology and training.”
To volunteer with VICSES or for further information on what it means to be a VICSES volunteer, visit ses.vic.gov.au/join-us