Latest news with #StateEmergencyService
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Thousands still stranded as flood recovery ramps up
Rescuers have saved horses and helped paramedics reach isolated patients as the recovery effort continues after record-breaking floods that killed five people. More than 1000 buildings have been declared uninhabitable amid promises for further government assistance. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days. Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib returned to flood-hit communities between Port Macquarie and Taree on Wednesday, meeting with volunteers and affected farmers and businesses. "This flood emergency is not yet over," Mr Dib earlier told parliament. More than 800 flood rescues have been conducted throughout the event, including a further nine rescues up to 5am on Wednesday, the State Emergency Service said. Three of them were to rescue horses, as well as helping ambulance officers reach a patient through floodwaters. The rescues took place around the Hunter region and in Tamworth on the northern tablelands. Resupply operations continue for isolated communities, while others have been working through the clean up, NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said. "We have teams on the ground and are working closely with recovery partners to provide support and assistance through a range of measures over the coming days," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Taree on Tuesday. The visits come as communities impacted by the flooding, which claimed five lives, wait for an upgrade in the disaster response to trigger further grants. Federal funds have been made available for severely affected communities and sectors including clean up and recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and a community recovery fund. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain said. "We will be there for the long haul." Disaster recovery payments up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments up to $900 per family have also been pledged. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available and primary producers can access concessional loans and freight subsidies. The ongoing clean up, with the help of some 70 army personnel on the ground and thousands of volunteers as well as state agencies, has collected more than 10,000 cubic metres of waste. More than 9200 damage assessments have taken place, with about 2000 to go. Many of the more than 1000 buildings deemed uninhabitable may only be so for the short term. "In some of those cases, it's just flooding over the floorboards, or minor damage," Mr Dib said. "It doesn't mean that they're uninhabitable completely." About 30 homes need "serious work" or are beyond repair. Volunteers are carrying the load of the day-to-day recovery as communities count the cost of the floods. One person was charged with looting offences after allegedly stealing tools, paintings, family photos, DVDs and other personal items in Wingham. Rescuers have saved horses and helped paramedics reach isolated patients as the recovery effort continues after record-breaking floods that killed five people. More than 1000 buildings have been declared uninhabitable amid promises for further government assistance. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days. Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib returned to flood-hit communities between Port Macquarie and Taree on Wednesday, meeting with volunteers and affected farmers and businesses. "This flood emergency is not yet over," Mr Dib earlier told parliament. More than 800 flood rescues have been conducted throughout the event, including a further nine rescues up to 5am on Wednesday, the State Emergency Service said. Three of them were to rescue horses, as well as helping ambulance officers reach a patient through floodwaters. The rescues took place around the Hunter region and in Tamworth on the northern tablelands. Resupply operations continue for isolated communities, while others have been working through the clean up, NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said. "We have teams on the ground and are working closely with recovery partners to provide support and assistance through a range of measures over the coming days," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Taree on Tuesday. The visits come as communities impacted by the flooding, which claimed five lives, wait for an upgrade in the disaster response to trigger further grants. Federal funds have been made available for severely affected communities and sectors including clean up and recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and a community recovery fund. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain said. "We will be there for the long haul." Disaster recovery payments up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments up to $900 per family have also been pledged. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available and primary producers can access concessional loans and freight subsidies. The ongoing clean up, with the help of some 70 army personnel on the ground and thousands of volunteers as well as state agencies, has collected more than 10,000 cubic metres of waste. More than 9200 damage assessments have taken place, with about 2000 to go. Many of the more than 1000 buildings deemed uninhabitable may only be so for the short term. "In some of those cases, it's just flooding over the floorboards, or minor damage," Mr Dib said. "It doesn't mean that they're uninhabitable completely." About 30 homes need "serious work" or are beyond repair. Volunteers are carrying the load of the day-to-day recovery as communities count the cost of the floods. One person was charged with looting offences after allegedly stealing tools, paintings, family photos, DVDs and other personal items in Wingham. Rescuers have saved horses and helped paramedics reach isolated patients as the recovery effort continues after record-breaking floods that killed five people. More than 1000 buildings have been declared uninhabitable amid promises for further government assistance. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days. Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib returned to flood-hit communities between Port Macquarie and Taree on Wednesday, meeting with volunteers and affected farmers and businesses. "This flood emergency is not yet over," Mr Dib earlier told parliament. More than 800 flood rescues have been conducted throughout the event, including a further nine rescues up to 5am on Wednesday, the State Emergency Service said. Three of them were to rescue horses, as well as helping ambulance officers reach a patient through floodwaters. The rescues took place around the Hunter region and in Tamworth on the northern tablelands. Resupply operations continue for isolated communities, while others have been working through the clean up, NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said. "We have teams on the ground and are working closely with recovery partners to provide support and assistance through a range of measures over the coming days," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Taree on Tuesday. The visits come as communities impacted by the flooding, which claimed five lives, wait for an upgrade in the disaster response to trigger further grants. Federal funds have been made available for severely affected communities and sectors including clean up and recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and a community recovery fund. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain said. "We will be there for the long haul." Disaster recovery payments up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments up to $900 per family have also been pledged. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available and primary producers can access concessional loans and freight subsidies. The ongoing clean up, with the help of some 70 army personnel on the ground and thousands of volunteers as well as state agencies, has collected more than 10,000 cubic metres of waste. More than 9200 damage assessments have taken place, with about 2000 to go. Many of the more than 1000 buildings deemed uninhabitable may only be so for the short term. "In some of those cases, it's just flooding over the floorboards, or minor damage," Mr Dib said. "It doesn't mean that they're uninhabitable completely." About 30 homes need "serious work" or are beyond repair. Volunteers are carrying the load of the day-to-day recovery as communities count the cost of the floods. One person was charged with looting offences after allegedly stealing tools, paintings, family photos, DVDs and other personal items in Wingham. Rescuers have saved horses and helped paramedics reach isolated patients as the recovery effort continues after record-breaking floods that killed five people. More than 1000 buildings have been declared uninhabitable amid promises for further government assistance. About 3500 people remain isolated along the NSW mid-north coast, despite waters receding in recent days. Premier Chris Minns and Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib returned to flood-hit communities between Port Macquarie and Taree on Wednesday, meeting with volunteers and affected farmers and businesses. "This flood emergency is not yet over," Mr Dib earlier told parliament. More than 800 flood rescues have been conducted throughout the event, including a further nine rescues up to 5am on Wednesday, the State Emergency Service said. Three of them were to rescue horses, as well as helping ambulance officers reach a patient through floodwaters. The rescues took place around the Hunter region and in Tamworth on the northern tablelands. Resupply operations continue for isolated communities, while others have been working through the clean up, NSW SES Assistant Commissioner Colin Malone said. "We have teams on the ground and are working closely with recovery partners to provide support and assistance through a range of measures over the coming days," he said. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Taree on Tuesday. The visits come as communities impacted by the flooding, which claimed five lives, wait for an upgrade in the disaster response to trigger further grants. Federal funds have been made available for severely affected communities and sectors including clean up and recovery grants for small businesses and primary producers and a community recovery fund. "Recovery is going to take time," Federal Emergency Services Minister Kristy McBain said. "We will be there for the long haul." Disaster recovery payments up to $1000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children, on top of personal hardship payments up to $900 per family have also been pledged. Up to 13 weeks' income support will be available and primary producers can access concessional loans and freight subsidies. The ongoing clean up, with the help of some 70 army personnel on the ground and thousands of volunteers as well as state agencies, has collected more than 10,000 cubic metres of waste. More than 9200 damage assessments have taken place, with about 2000 to go. Many of the more than 1000 buildings deemed uninhabitable may only be so for the short term. "In some of those cases, it's just flooding over the floorboards, or minor damage," Mr Dib said. "It doesn't mean that they're uninhabitable completely." About 30 homes need "serious work" or are beyond repair. Volunteers are carrying the load of the day-to-day recovery as communities count the cost of the floods. One person was charged with looting offences after allegedly stealing tools, paintings, family photos, DVDs and other personal items in Wingham.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russians attack Kharkiv Oblast: over 10 strikes recorded, 1 killed and 7 injured – photos, video
Russian forces launched a large-scale drone attack on Kharkiv Oblast on the night of 27-28 May, hitting residential areas and a civilian business facility. More than 10 strikes have been recorded. One person has been killed and seven others injured. Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service on Telegram Details: The Russians attacked settlements in the Chuhuiv and Kharkiv districts. "The attack killed one person and injured seven others, including a child. Three fires broke out," the SES reported. The aftermath of the attack Photo: SES A production workshop and a warehouse covering 1,580 sq m caught fire on the premises of a business facility in the settlement of Vasyshcheve. The aftermath of the attack Photo: SES Drones struck open land in the settlement of Bezliudivka, igniting dry grass over an area of 1,000 sq m. The aftermath of the attack Photo: SES A Russian UAV hit a two-storey residential building in the settlement of Eskhar, sparking another fire. "More than 80 emergency workers and 20 SES appliances were involved in dealing with the aftermath of the Russian attack, including a bomb disposal team, a firefighting train and local fire crews from Vasyshcheve," the SES added. Background: Earlier, Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, reported that eight people, including a four-year-old child, had been injured in a Russian drone attack on Kharkiv Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russia attacks railway infrastructure in three Ukrainian oblasts
Russian forces have attacked railway infrastructure and rolling stock in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Sumy oblasts during the night and morning. Source: Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) Details: Debris from a drone fell onto the tracks in Kharkiv Oblast. Railway workers temporarily suspended traffic to allow the police and the State Emergency Service to disable the remains of the Russian drone. Rail traffic has been promptly restored. In addition, fighting caused damage to the overhead contact network, while the glass in an electric train carriage was broken by debris from a first-person view drone in the city of Sloviansk in Donetsk Oblast. Sloviansk came under another Russian attack in the morning, during which windows in the building of a station were damaged. Meanwhile, a Russian UAV slightly damaged the tracks in Sumy Oblast, but trains are running on schedule without delays. Ukrzaliznytsia reported that there had been no casualties among workers or passengers in all cases. Background: On 23 May, Russian forces attacked the railway in Chernivtsi Oblast. Ukrzaliznytsia reported that railway infrastructure had been damaged, but no workers or passengers had been injured. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Locals blame us': rural SES volunteers 'hated' over emergency services levy
Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy."
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Russia has killed 58 emergency medical workers since start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine
Since the beginning of 2022, emergency medical workers in Ukraine have responded to nearly 20 million calls – an average of more than 16,000 per day. Source: Ministry of Health of Ukraine on 27 May Details: On the occasion of Emergency Medical Services Workers' Day, the Ministry of Health reminded the public of the war crimes being committed by Russia against Ukrainian medical workers. The ministry reported that Russia has killed 58 emergency medical personnel and injured another 122 since the start of the full-scale invasion. In addition, the Russians have destroyed or damaged over 600 ambulances. "The enemy constantly targets vehicles and crews responding to calls in frontline oblasts," the ministry stated. Despite the war, emergency care continues to be provided: there are more than 2,300 emergency medical teams operating in Ukraine, employing nearly 33,000 medical workers. Quote from the ministry: "This day is an opportunity to thank everyone who saves lives in extraordinary circumstances. Emergency medical workers are not only professionals but also true heroes of our time. We bow our heads in memory of the fallen. We thank each and every one of those who continue working for the sake of life." Background: On 17 February, Ukraine's State Emergency Service reported that 100 Ukrainian emergency workers have been killed and 430 wounded since the beginning of the full-scale war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
