Land Search and Rescue

The Shire of Nillumbik and surrounding areas contain bushland and terrain where people can become lost easily. Each year we are requested to assist the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad in ground based searches for lost people.

Often these people have wandered off the tracks or actually set out to become lost (personal problems). Sometimes we find these people alive and well, other times we do not. Police and SES volunteers recover bodies from rivers and other locations.

Our casualty handling skills are used to help evacuate people from remote properties or to assist the Ambulance Service with heavier people who cannot be lifted with their normal Paramedic crews. Our command tent will be used to help the Police co-ordinate the search in comfort and out of the rain. It usually rains when we are on a search!

Basic line search techniques and track searching is the most common search requirement in our area. We have sent members with task forces to other areas to assist in larger searches with our four wheel drive providing offroad access to remote areas.

Typical SES Tasks

• Ground search teams to assist the Victoria Police with the search for missing persons
• Four wheel drive search teams for track searches
• Assist AusSAR with locating activated EPIRB's
• Air search observer crew for AusSAR air search teams for missing people at sea or land
• Assist the Police with search command post logistics such as lighting, shelter, etc.