SES Sale Unit

08/02/2026

Join one of our unit officers, Matt, for a view from the water, as our LBSWR members practice their rope-bag chucking (aka. Throw-bag rescue) skills.
It genuinely requires practice and building muscle memory to get this right. Release too early, the bag falls short, too late and you launch it waaay up in the air... and then it falls short...
The trainers were trying to create some urgency with this run, by sending a heap of 'Casualties' down at once. You can see this from the spiderweb of ropes into the river. (And hear the word 'Chaos' at the start 😆)
It looks hectic, and also kind of fun, but it's important experience in a controlled environment for our members.

08/02/2026

Over the weekend, 2 of our Sale members headed to Eildon, on the Goldburn River, to undertake the Land Based Swift Water Rescue skills maintenance course.
The course consisted of 3 parts: Throw bag practice and theory session in the morning, followed by getting in the River to practice self-rescue and rope Rescue skills before lunch, then finishing with 3 scenarios in the afternoon. Our unit also has several more members completing the course in coming weeks.
The Goulburn River was a cosy 13°C, and running at 5000ML/d, so it was fortunate that the outside temperature was well above 30°C for the training.
This prepares our members for the real world calls we get, for rescuing people who have become trapped in moving waters. Since completing the initial course, our unit has been called to at least 4 of these rescues, and they are always dynamic and complex.
Thanks to the trainers and organisers that put the course together for our members!

30/01/2026

"In an emergency, look for the helpers"

Are you a helper?
Can you spare a few hours a week to help your community in an emergency?

The Sale SES is looking for new members to join us in 2026!

All training and equipment is provided, no experience necessary.

Message our page for more info, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest!

We look forward to seeing you in orange!

30/01/2026

Are you interested in knowing more about what the SES does?

Can you spare a few hours a week to help your community?

Can you see yourself in orange?

Then we'd love to hear from you!
We're looking for new members to join us in 2026!

Message the page to find out more, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest today!

28/01/2026

The Sale SES Unit is looking for new members to join our crew!

If you can spare a few hours a week to help your community, we'd love to hear from you!

Our unit specializes in:

- Road Crash Rescue
- Search & Rescue
- Land-based swift-water rescue
- Storm & Flood response
- Agency support roles
- Boating operations (Crewperson, Deckhand and Coxswain)
- and more!

We train on Wednesday nights from 7pm throughout the year.

If you can see yourself in orange, message our page to find out more about becoming a member, or head to ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express interest today!

26/01/2026

Looking for a new challenge in 2026?

Want to help your community and make a difference?

Want to meet like-minded people, receive great training an opportunities to learn new things?

The Sale SES is returning to training on the 4th of Feb, and we're looking for new members to join our team!

No experience required, all training, uniform and equipment is provided! There's a role for everyone in the SES.

Message our page to find out more, or goto ses.vic.gov.au/joinus to express your interest!

Look forward to hearing from you!

17/01/2026

Throughout the last week, and into the week ahead, our members have been deployed to Dargo and Heyfield ICC as part of the Bushfire support team.

Our members assist with Logistics, planning and roadblocks, so the CFA crews can focus on fighting the fire and getting containment lines in place.

The photos attached are from our members adventured through the week.

If you'd like to be involved, reach out to us via Facebook, for more info on becoming a member!

17/01/2026

That's a bit rough...

A large tree branch in front of the Sale Library decided to drop into a vehicle, blocking a lane of traffic.

Fortunately, no one was injured, and damaged was relatively minimal.

We had quite a crowd checking out our work for this one! It actually came away from the vehicle pretty smoothly in the end!

We have to stress though, if you're passing emergency service vehicles with lights on and members working on the roadway... SLOW DOWN!

There were numerous cars coming passed at dangerous speeds, well above 40km/h, putting our members, and the VicPol members at risk. 😨

13/01/2026

Our members are currently in Dargo, assisting with fire logistics for the week.

SES members are routinely involved with other services, and have been described as the "Swiss Army Knife" of emergency services.

If you can see yourself in Orange, and want to be involved and help your community, check out the join us page at the link below or send us a message. Also; look out for our upcoming recruitment campaigns!

Are you watching the current emergencies in Gippsland and across Victoria, and wondering what you can do to help? 🤔
If you would like to volunteer to support your community, you can!
VICSES has 21 units in Gippsland and 154 statewide who respond to storms, floods, rescues and more. At times like this, we also support our partner Emergency Service agencies.

As a volunteer you can:
🔸 Join a mission-driven team.
🔸 Build your skillset.
🔸 Connect with your community.
🔸Make a lasting impact.

Become a VICSES volunteer today: www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us

📸 SES Winchelsea Unit

09/01/2026

It's starting to get warm and windy outside!

Remember the 9 P's today:
Planning, Practising and Preparing Prevents Poor Performance and Prevents Probability of Perishing!

Are you ready for the effects of hot and windy weather? Do you have a fire plan?

Some simple steps you can take RIGHT NOW to prepare include:
- Ensuring you have adequate water supply.
- Making sure devices are charged and consider an extra battery pack
- Ensure you have adequate supplies for an extended power outage, which may occur.
- Check in on family, elderly neighbours and friends.
- Download the VicEmergency App and set-up an alert area/s relevant to you and your loved ones. Or visit the emergency.vic.gov.au website.

If you live out of town, consider the additional steps:
- Check pumps and Fire fighting appliances are operational, test them if needed and make sure they're fuelled up.
- Consider setting up a generator if available, in case of loss of power.
- Ensure sprinkler systems are working and consider pre-watering areas around your home.
- Clean gutters and remove any leafy debris from around your property.

Taking these simple steps now can ensure you're not caught out later in then event conditions worsen or a fire starts in our area.

Take care, stay cool and hydrated, and spare a thought for our friends in the CFA who are working hard all over the state today!

It's going to get windy folks. In addition to the heat and fire risk, there is also a Severe Weather Warning issued for today, Friday 9 January, for damaging wind gusts across the state.

A forecast of the thunderstorm potential for today is also pictured below.

Take the time to check that loose items such as outdoor furniture, umbrellas and trampolines are safely secured. Move vehicles under cover or away from trees.

If you need flood or storm emergency assistance, call VICSES on 132 500.

Stay safe out there.

07/01/2026

From Mildura to Mallacoota, Ringwood to Rutherglen - summer has arrived in Victoria.

Much of the state is set to experience heatwave conditions this week.

Keep you and your loved ones safe:

🏠 Use air conditioning or a fan to keep your home cool.

👚 Wear light, loose clothes.

💧 Drink plenty of water, especially if you’re outdoors or physically active.

🌅 Plan activities for the coolest parts of the day.

👴 Look out for those with an increased risk of heat-related illness. Check in with family, friends and neighbours.

🌡️ Check the weather forecast via www.bom.gov.au/

☀️ Learn more about heat health at: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/extreme-heat.

06/01/2026

Are you prepared for the extreme heat this week?

Remember, extreme heats can cause power failures. If you're on tank water, consider purchasing or preparing some bottled water.

Ensure your devices are charged and consider whether you might need extra batteries etc for devices.

And given the chance of significant wind on Friday, conditions will be difficult if a fire starts. Do you have a plan if fire is in your area?

Stay up to date by downloading the VicEmergency app, or go to emergency.vic.gov.au

Extreme Heatwave Warning

Stay informed: http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/warnings/
Issued at 02:41pm EDT on Tuesday 6 January 2026

Where:
For people in Northern Country, North East, East Gippsland and West and South Gippsland Districts

Locations likely to be impacted include Albury-Wodonga, Seymour and Shepparton.

When:
A prolonged period of heat is forecast for Victoria this week peaking over the next few days.

Situation:
In the north, maximum temperatures in the low to mid forties and overnight minimum temperatures in the high teens to low twenties, increasing to low to high twenties by Friday.

In the south, maximum temperatures in the mid thirties to low forties and overnight minimum temperatures in the low to mid teens, increasing to high teens to low twenties in the southeast by Thursday.

Severe to Extreme heatwave conditions forecast to ease from the southwest with a cooler change over the weekend.

What you should do:
*Extreme heatwaves can be dangerous for everyone.
*Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell.
*Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre.
*Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.
*If available, use fans or air-conditioners to keep cool.

For further safety information before, during and after heatwaves, visit the Victorian Department of Health website: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/campaigns/survive-heat

The next heatwave warning will be issued by 3:00pm EDT on Wednesday 7 January 2026