LOCAL female Victoria SES volunteers from the Hume region recently gathered in Cobram, as part of the organisations’ ever-growing VICSES Women in Rescue (WIR) event.

A total of 40 members attended the region’s gathering including two Wangaratta volunteers, with around 250 women participating in WIR events statewide.

Established in 2018 for female volunteers, by female volunteers, WIR is a targeted training event designed to celebrate women in emergency operations, to get hands on with the tools and equipment, share rescue skills and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.

A variety of specialised training and exercises were set up to cover the diverse capabilities that VICSES volunteers require during a range of different emergencies.

Volunteers tackled various skills-based demonstrations, including a live road crash rescue simulation as well as hand tools and domestic rescue techniques.

The event also aimed to promote gender inclusion and diversity within VICSES and encourage recruitment and retention of female VICSES volunteers.

Wangaratta SES unit member, Megan Earl, said the event provided a wealth of unique opportunities to participate.

“There was not enough time in the day to fully appreciate all the opportunities, it was an amazing event,” she said.

Currently, 1652 of all 4869 VICSES’ volunteers are female, almost 34 per cent.

To volunteer with VICSES, or for further information on what it means to be a VICSES volunteer, visit: ses.vic.gov.au/join-us.