Fleet & vehicles
Road rescue trucks, storm response vehicles, boats, trailers and specialist assets need planned replacement and ongoing maintenance.
Volunteer-led campaign
We can't hold rescue tools if we're chasing donations.
Victoria's SES volunteers answer the call around the clock. Sustainable funding lets them spend more time responding, training and keeping communities safe — and less time raising money for essential vehicles, equipment and facilities.
Volunteer-led
Victoria-wide
Focused on sustainable funding
24 hours a day
Volunteers respond to floods, storms, road crashes and other emergencies across Victoria.
5,040volunteers
in 2024–25
in 2024–25
5,040volunteers
154units across Victoria
35,940incidents attended
342,374volunteer hours
“Investing in VICSES is an investment in the safety and resilience of our communities.”
Fund VICSES campaign messageWhy this matters
Volunteers should be the heart of the service — not its wallet.
Volunteer units have historically relied on grants, local support, donations and their own fundraising to help maintain or replace important operational assets.
Fundraising takes volunteers away from training, preparedness, family time and the emergency response work their communities depend on. A stable and transparent funding framework helps units plan ahead and maintain safe, reliable capability.
- Reliable fleet replacement and maintenance planning
- Modern protective clothing, rescue tools and specialist equipment
- Facilities that support safe operations, training and volunteer wellbeing
- More volunteer time focused on readiness and community response
What sustainable funding supports
The essentials behind every response.
Effective emergency response depends on people, equipment and places that are ready before a call for help arrives.
Safety equipment
Fit-for-purpose protective clothing, rescue tools, communications gear and other safety-critical equipment protect volunteers and the public.
Unit facilities
Safe, accessible and functional unit buildings enable training, vehicle storage, incident coordination and volunteer support.
Training & readiness
Regular skills development and scenario-based training prepare volunteers for complex, dangerous and rapidly changing incidents.
Volunteer support
Strong support systems help recruit, retain and care for the people who give their time and skills to protect their communities.
Long-term planning
Predictable funding supports responsible planning rather than forcing units to respond to essential needs one fundraiser at a time.
Campaign milestone
A statewide voice crossed the Bolte Bridge.
On 20 May 2024, volunteers from across Victoria gathered for a public awareness drive highlighting the need for sustainable funding.
The event followed the first public phase of the campaign, which generated approximately 2,500 letters to Members of Parliament. Volunteers brought the vehicles and equipment their units had worked hard to support through fundraising.
2,500letters sent to MPs
~200volunteers at the drive
38participating units
52vehicles, trucks and buses
Campaign photo: Fund VICSES / Facebook, republished by Times News Group.
Current funding context
The policy landscape has changed since the campaign began.
Victoria's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund replaced the former Fire Services Property Levy on 1 July 2025 and now funds a broader group of emergency services, including VICSES.
The VICSES Volunteer Leadership Group supports the principle of sustainable funding, while stating that it was not involved in designing the current fund and continues to advocate for transparency, fairness and genuine volunteer representation. For levy calculations, exemptions and volunteer rebates, use official State Revenue Office information.
Read official ESVF informationTake action
Three practical ways to support volunteers.
Choose the action that suits you. Donations should be made only through recognised VICSES channels or directly to a verified local unit.
Contact your local MP
Ask for sustainable, transparent and equitable funding that protects operational capability and reduces the fundraising burden on volunteers.
Find a Victorian MPDonate safely
Support VICSES through its official fundraising page or contact a local unit directly. Always verify the credentials of anyone collecting donations.
Official donation optionsShare the campaign
Help more Victorians understand why volunteers need reliable vehicles, equipment, training and facilities before the next emergency arrives.
Follow on FacebookMedia & campaign coverage
The funding conversation in public.
Coverage from the campaign launch and official information about VICSES operations and donations.
Fundraising and sponsorship
Learn how official donations support unit equipment, facilities, training resources and volunteer hardship assistance.
Read official guidance
Local volunteers call for sustainable funding
Bellarine Times reported on the campaign and the impact of fundraising demands on local units.
Read coverage
Funding Campaign Day
The Volunteer Leadership Group records the Bolte Bridge drive, campaign activity and volunteer advocacy.
Explore campaign newsFrequently asked questions
Clear answers about the campaign.
Fund VICSES is an advocacy initiative. Emergency requests and official donations should always use recognised VICSES channels.
The campaign was established by dedicated VICSES volunteer leaders advocating for a sustainable funding framework. The work is associated with the volunteer-led VICSES Volunteer Leadership Group, which is independent of VICSES management and government.
Predictable funding helps units plan for safe equipment, fleet replacement, facilities, training and other essential operational needs. It also reduces the time volunteers must spend fundraising instead of training or responding.
No. It is a volunteer-led advocacy campaign. This website is not an emergency alert service and does not replace official VICSES or government information.
Use the official VICSES fundraising and sponsorship page, a recognised workplace giving platform listed by VICSES, or contact a verified local VICSES unit. VICSES states that it does not seek donations by phone.
The Volunteer Leadership Group supports sustainable funding in principle, but says it was not involved in designing the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund and does not endorse the levy in its current form. It continues to advocate for fairness, transparency and volunteer representation.
For flood and storm emergency assistance in Victoria, call 132 500. For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).
Contact
Talk to the campaign.
Use the form to prepare an email to the Fund VICSES campaign. For emergency assistance or official VICSES services, use the emergency and official links shown on this page.
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
Campaign area
Victoria, Australia
Victoria, Australia