Battery-powered hydraulics bolster VICSES volunteers' rescue capability

By the end of the month, 47 Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) - Road Crash Rescue (RCR)-accredited units will have received state-of-the-art battery-powered hydraulic tools, continuing to revolutionise the way volunteers respond to emergencies.

The hoseless Pentheon range of equipment is developed by Netherlands manufacturer Holmatro, with each kit valued at more than $115,000.

The new equipment allows volunteers to efficiently manage rescue-related emergencies without requiring an external hydraulic pump source through a nearby VICSES response vehicle or portable pump.

As a result, VICSES volunteers will have greater freedom and flexibility in accessing rescue incidents in hard-to-reach locations, with increased manoeuvrability a key consideration when adopting the untethered equipment.

Nine new battery-powered kits have already been delivered across VICSES’ metropolitan Units, while two sets of equipment have been set aside for use on regional training days in the state’s Eastern and Western Regions.

VICSES Sunbury, Nillumbik, Craigieburn, Frankston, Pakenham, Lilydale, Knox and Emerald Units have each implemented the new Pentheon equipment to respond to metropolitan emergencies, as have VICSES Sorrento and Phillip Island Units and other rural and regional Units.

VICSES maintains the largest network of principal provider RCR emergency responders in Australia, with 104 VICSES Units across the state certified to utilise their technical skills and equipment at rescue incidents, with an additional 20 support units available.

This month’s rollout concludes a four-year process to update RCR capacity at almost 50 key locations across Victoria, with each unit also re-trained in the use of the suite of Pentheon equipment.

So far this calendar year, VICSES volunteers have attended more than 1,500 rescue incidents, with five units having attended more than 50 rescue incidents each.

The upgraded rescue capability has proved particularly valuable in metropolitan Melbourne and along the Mornington Peninsula, with the new equipment utilised at almost 500 rescue emergencies since the beginning of the year.

VICSES Pakenham, Frankston, Craigieburn and Knox Units have each attended more than 60 rescues in that same time frame.

To find out more about VICSES’ RCR capabilities, visit www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us/volunteer-roles/road-crash-rescue.

Quotes attributable to VICSES Deputy Chief Officer Capability, David Baker

“VICSES volunteers play a vital role in the state’s integrated agencies approach to Road Crash Rescue, so it’s important they have the equipment they need to respond to emergencies efficiently and safely on our roadways.

“Almost 50 VICSES Units across Victoria are trained and using the state-of-the-art battery-powered hydraulics, providing them with increased capability to support their communities.”