The Myrtleford State Emergency Service opened its doors in 1979.  Originally housed in a run down shed in the main street of Myrtleford, the unit survived with meager government grants and basic equipment. Our first vehicle was a second hand Toyota Land cruiser and we used a trailer to carry our rescue equipment in. Thirteen years later this vehicle was replaced with a government issued red plate vehicle which was a Nissan Patrol. Bequests from townsfolk allowed the unit to set up a welfare caravan which is still used today to allow tired drivers to stop and receive a cup of coffee as part of the Driver Reviver program.

During the following years it became obvious that we required a new headquarters and with a lot of fund raising and a government grant of $62,000 we moved into our new headquarters in 1994. The official opening was conducted by the Honorable Lou Lieberman on the 18th of June 1994. The unit has been managed by three controllers over the years with George McPherson being the original, who was succeeded by Rod Rayner, who has since retired and the current controller is John Newlands.

The unit originally used hand powered hydraulic rescue equipment to free people from wrecked vehicles, however over the years with advances in technology, we have moved on to powered hydraulic rescue equipment. This equipment is very powerful and light weight.