For decades, Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Corryong Unit volunteers have provided vital assistance to their local community during flood and storm events, road rescue incidents and by supporting partner agencies in times of emergency.

However, despite a recent recruitment drive, the Corryong unit’s membership numbers remain critical and at present, are below a sustainable operational level.

Currently, road crash rescue capability is being responded to by Tallangatta or Wodonga SES units if their crews are available, pushing accident response times beyond two hours.

Because of the declining membership at the unit, the Corryong group is asking local community members to come along to its upcoming information night and sign up as a volunteer.

“At VICSES, we want to recruit more members who might never have thought they could be an emergency responder,” said Senior Assistant Chief Officer, Ray Jasper.

“Volunteers perform a wide range of roles so, if you are not comfortable doing something, you don’t have to.

“For example, some volunteers may find managing a road crash rescue incident too confronting to assist directly but may still want to provide assistance and help.

“The can control passing traffic or do a ‘tool dump’ where they set out the tools we need and start up the generator – all vital roles performed, to help keep the community of Corryong safe.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation and come from all walks’ of life, ages and backgrounds,” Mr Jasper said.

“Without them the community would not have these life-saving services available to them.

“We are holding the community meeting to encourage the locals from Corryong and Upper Murray district to be able to explore a sustainable future for the unit together,” Mr Jasper said.

Unit members also prepare the community for adverse weather events, manage radio traffic, complete job reports, fundraise and support the wider region during emergencies.

It provides crucial emergency service response for the community, especially when providing vital response with road crash rescue operations.

“Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, keep connected, build personal confidence and be a part of range of life building experiences,” Mr Jasper said..

Join VICSES and other local emergency service guest speakers on Monday August 21st at 7pm at the Corryong Memorial Hall to learn more about volunteer opportunities and to explore the future of the Corryong VICSES Unit.

This article appeared in the Corryong Courier, 10 August 2023.