At present, the unit has approximately 60 active members, with 12 of these just recently having completed a basic training package, and 10 on a waiting list to join. All of the members in the unit are volunteers. Our membership base is comprised of people spread across all three of our municipalities (the cities of Hume, Whittlesea and Moreland).
Our volunteers fill the roles of Controller, Deputy Controllers for Training and Operations, Administration Officer, Training Staff Officer, Communications Officer, Treasurer, Team Leaders and members accredited for general rescue.
Our members range in age from 18 years to over 60, and actively support younger members attending. The SES (in general) has an active cadet program, and the Broadmeadows unit has agreed amongst its members to accept and mentor up to 6 young adults as members, where they are able to participate in training and limited events on an equal footing, and be supported by our team of senior officers.
Over 90% of our volunteers are all in full time employment, and perhaps a quarter of members have university level qualifications.
Vehicles and Resources
The unit presently operates with three vehicles equipped to deal with emergencies.
The first is a state-issued General Purpose truck, a Ford F350 with a customized pod, carrying a broad range of rescue and salvage equipment. This is our primary response vehicle, and carries chainsaws, quick cuts, lighting equipment, generators and pumps, stretchers and first aid equipment, roofing props and supports, tarps, ladders, hydraulic and power hand tools, sandbags and rooftop safety equipment, which is also compatible for use in rescues from heights or depths.
....................Rescue 1 - Ford F350
The other two vehicles are 4WD utes (a Ford Courier supplied by Hume City Council and a Toyota Hilux (owned by the unit with funds raised by members) with canopies attached to the back stocked with a minimum of equipment for small tasks. This equipment is primarily aimed at storm damage tasks, and includes a chainsaw, ladders, lighting and power leads, ladder, rooftop safety equipment, first aid, minor hand tools and tarps.
....................Iveco - Rescue 2
....................Ford Courier - Rescue 3
....................Toyota Hilux - Passenger Carrier
The unit also has some other specialised equipment particularly suited for its primary operational tasks:
Submersible pump
Hydraulic cutting and lifting equipment
Airbag lifting equipment
4WD recovery kits
A small unit owned lighting and electrical trailer, also suitable for carrying extra equipment.
A large, state owned (as part of its counter terrorism arrangements) lighting plant and generator.
Broadmeadows SES also ensures it has a range of extra high use equipment (such as generators and chainsaws) on hand and ready for operational use to cover mechanical failure and scheduled services
....................Our NEW Communications Trailer
