Bacchus Marsh State Emergency Service (SES) is a volunteer run Emergency Service with a response area covering the majority of Moorabool Shire. Established in 1982 and with 70+ volunteers, the Unit has a main headquarters in Bacchus Marsh, with satellite facilities in both Darley and Ballan. Volunteers undertake comprehensive training every Tuesday night with additional training and assessment programs undertaken throughout the year.

​

We are volunteers. Neighbours. Parents. Workers. Everyday people who choose to step forward when others need it most. 

Ranging from 16 to over 80 years young, we come from all walks of life - some are born and bred locals, others have moved to town and now call Bacchus Marsh and its surrounds, home.

​

Our unique landscape demands a dynamic skillset and draws on the invaluable experience of all of our members. From fierce storms rolling in, road crashes on back country roads and busy freeways, rising floodwaters to search and rescue callouts deep in the heart of Lerderderg or Werribee Gorges - when the pager sounds, we hustle. 
 

But our role doesn’t begin and end with emergencies.

We are educators - charged with helping locals prepare their homes and families for severe weather.
We are supporters - standing beside our community in recovery, long after the headlines fade.
We are connectors - bringing people together through shared purpose and care.

​

As our town grows, so does the demand for us to attend a broad range of RFAs (Request for Assistance). Every sandbag filled, every road cleared, every life assisted - it's all driven by a desire to help the community.

​

We are proud to serve Bacchus Marsh and the surrounding region. 

​

Our Team is stronger together. 

​​​

The Unit is equipped with:

- 2 x Road Rescue Trucks

- 1x General Rescue Truck

- 3 x 4WD Support Vehicles

- 4 x Search and Rescue Motorcycles

1 x Rescue Boat

1 x Lighting Trailer​

​

The Unit Responds 24/7 365 days a year to:

- Road, Air, Industrial, Rail Rescue incidents

- Flood Incidents (Flooding/Vehicles in Floodwaters)

- Storm Incidents (Trees Down/Building Damage)

- Search And Rescue Incidents (Missing person/Carry out injured patients)

- Lighting for partner agencies

- General Rescue Incidents (Ring removal/Domestic Entrapment)

- Urban Search and Rescue (Structural Collapse)

​

We responded to 558 RFAs over the 2024-25 calendar years:

310 Storm

100 Road Crash Rescue

97 Search and Rescue/ Assist Agency

45 Other

​​​