The Morwell State Emergency Service unit is celebrating thousands of operations, countless volunteer hours and 40 years of service.
It began in December 1976 with a group of volunteers using their private vehicles to tow a tandem trailer of equipment.
They had to educate the community on the emergency service they provided.
Now, the Morwell unit responds to about 500 calls for assistance a year, takes part in extensive training and is deployed across the country to help with natural disasters.
“When I first started we did about 10 windstorm jobs a year, now we do about 300-400 a year,” Morwell Unit controller and 28-year SES veteran Mick Vanderzalm said.
He attributed the shift to a changing work landscape across the Latrobe Valley, which meant people were less available to respond to storm damage themselves.
“Back then most people had a chainsaw and could look after themselves,” Mr Vanderzalm said.
“People aren’t as self reliant.”
Since its inception, the unit has been front and centre in the disasters and rescues that make up part of the Latrobe Valley’s history.
Volunteers have provided support during bushfire, attended workplace accidents and rescued people from the most horrific of road crashes.
“Every emergency service worker from every agency has a button. You might get your button pushed on the first job or the thousandth job,” Mr Vanderzalm said.
“You may go to a motor vehicle crash where you partner drives a similar car, or the patient has the same shoes as your daughter.
“We have a peer support network where members can seek assistance. We’re a very tight crew. We look after ourselves and other agencies. That’s why we have a 13-week induction, to make sure people are aware of what they may come across.”
Today’s team has 43 members, with a core group of about 20.
The men and women range in age from 18 to 80 and are from all walks of life.
“The original members who started it set a very high standard that all members of today need to follow,” Mr Vanderzalm said.
“We believe we are Australia’s best SES unit. We have a lot of pride and are very committed and dedicated.”
As valuable as the unit has proven itself to be, sustaining the volunteer service is always a challenge.
It receives some funding from Latrobe City Council and the State Government for operational costs.
Mr Vanderzalm said it could not survive without this funding and the support of employers who allow their staff to attend call-outs.
“There’s more pressure on employers than there was 40 years ago and a lot of businesses are doing it very tough,” he said.
Past and present Morwell SES members will celebrate with a reunion this weekend.
