New VICSES Unit Now Open in Woodlea

A new Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) Unit has officially opened in the heart of the Woodlea community. The Aintree facility was officially opened on the 11th of December by Interim VICSES Chief Executive Officer, Kate White, and Local Member for Kororoit, Luba Grigorovitch MP. The ceremony was also attended by numerous VICSES volunteers, staff, and local community members.

The new facility, which was constructed on a 4,800 square metre site, next to the Frontier Park reserve in Woodlea, was funded by the Victorian Government. This facility will serve as a central point for volunteers to meet, store vehicles and equipment, train, plan, deploy, and coordinate emergency response in Woodlea and surrounding suburbs.

The new facility features six emergency vehicle spaces, sizable training and meeting areas, modern administrative offices, state-of-the-art communications facilities, a kitchen and a turnout area.

Thanks to its advantageous position, volunteers in the area are now able to promptly attend to requests for assistance, enhancing their ability to respond locally and support the excellent efforts of the VICSES Melton Unit.

Unit Controller, Micah Spedding, along with Deputy Controller, Selina Albert, have been anticipating the opening of the new unit and preparing the volunteers.

“The community has been fantastic allowing us to have access to different parts of Woodlea. We were able to get the volunteers out into the neighbourhood and train in the environment they will be working in, rather than training in a classroom,” says Selina.

The Aintree, Caroline Springs, and Deanside regions are expected to submit around 500 requests for assistance annually to this new unit. With capacity to cater for up to 70 volunteers, the unit will primarily aid in events including storm and flood-related incidents and provide search and rescue support to other emergency services organisations.

“Having this new unit up and running not only strengthens our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies, but it also solidifies our connection with the community. The support we’ve received has been overwhelming and truly heartwarming,” said Selina.

Woodlea Project Director Matthew Dean said the VICSES unit is a welcome addition to the Woodlea neighbourhood.

 “Our residents can take comfort knowing that emergency assistance is always close by should they ever need it, thanks to this new location and the hard work of VICSES volunteers,” said Matthew.