Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association Incorporated

The Victoria State Emergency Service Volunteers Association Incorporated (VICSESVA) is a nonprofit organisation representing volunteers of the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES). Established in 1983 as the Victoria Emergency Service Association (VESA), it was formed to advocate for volunteer interests, including improvements in training, equipment, funding, and operational conditions[1]. The association rebranded to its current name in 2015 to clarify its role as the representative body for VICSES volunteers[1][5].

Background and Mission

VICSESVA operates as a conduit between volunteers and emergency service authorities, addressing systemic challenges faced by volunteers since the late 1970s, when VICSES was perceived as under-resourced compared to other emergency agencies[1]. The association’s structure includes unit representatives, regional councils, and a state committee of management to ensure grassroots concerns are elevated[1].

Role and Activities

As the oldest continuous State Emergency Service volunteer association in Australia[1], VICSESVA focuses on:

• Advocacy: Lobbying for volunteer welfare, safety standards, and operational resources[4].
• Support: Enhancing volunteer training and emergency response capabilities through collaboration with VICSES, which serves as Victoria’s lead agency for floods, storms, earthquakes, landslides, and road rescue[2][3].
• Representation: Providing a unified voice for over 5,000 VICSES volunteers across 154 units[3][5].

Governance and Structure

VICSESVA operates under a representative model, with volunteer members electing regional councils that inform the state-level committee[1]. The association works alongside VICSES, which is governed by the Victoria State Emergency Service Act 2005 and partners with Emergency Management Victoria[3].

Historical Context

VICSES traces its origins to 1950 as a civil defence body, transitioning to its current form in 1975[5]. VICSESVA emerged during a period of institutional neglect, advocating for legislative and operational reforms to professionalize volunteer emergency response[1][5].

Key Milestones

• 1983: Founded as VESA to address volunteer concerns[1].
• 2015: Renamed to reflect its exclusive focus on VICSES volunteers[1].
• 2025: VICSES marks its 50th anniversary under its current name, with VICSESVA participating in commemorative events[5].

The association remains integral to sustaining volunteer engagement in emergency management across Victoria[1][4].

[1] https://vicsesva.org.au/our-history/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_State_Emergency_Service [3] https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/about-us/who-we-are [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/3588d638-38af-e811-a95e-000d3ad24c60 [5] https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/50-years-of-vicses