Pakenham State Emergency Service

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On the 5th March, 1975, the Government announced the renaming of the Victoria Civil Defence Organisation as the Victoria State Emergency Service, in conformity with other States. During 1976 Victoria State Emergency Service Regional Officers were appointed and offices were established throughout the state. These were located to meet the State Government's decentralisation policy.

During 1979, the Ministry for Police and Emergency Service was created from the 'old' Chief Secretary's Department. It embraced the Victoria Police, Metropolitan Fire Brigades Board (MFBB), the Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES). In 1992, following further government changes, the Service became part of the Department of Justice, Police, Emergency Services & Corrections Directorate, Fire & Emergency Services Division.

In December 1981 the Victoria State Emergency Service Act, No. 9673 was passed by Parliament, and promulgated on Wednesday, 3rd March 1982. The Service now operates under the provisions of the "Victoria State Emergency Service Act 1987" which was proclaimed in May, 1988 and the updated Victoria State Emergency Service Regulations which were introduced on 21st February, 1995.

The Pakenham State Emergency Service Unit began back in 1979 with a crew of six members and an ex-Sunicrust bread van capable of a top speed of 60kph. This vehicle was donated by Bunge Australia. Pakenham SES was very small, not only in numbers but in building size. The first headquarters was a cow shed at the then controllers house, Mr. Alan Morgan a local by-laws officer, at his property approximately five kilometres outside of the Pakenham CBD.

There was little rescue equipment back then. The truck had a radio, saber saw, generator and hand-operated rescue equipment plus a few odds and ends. A simple set of tools, but so effective.

1983 saw the biggest influx of members due to the Ash Wednesday Bush Fires that swept through the area during that horrible time in February. The SES, as well as performing it's usual tasks, assisted the Police, Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) in the evacuation of residents in the Beaconsfield and Beaconsfield Upper areas.

An Ash Wednesday story has been written by a member recalling some of the events that took part in February 1983. Read it here.