Search and Rescue core capability
Deliver traditional and atypical search and rescue capabilities, including people and resources with the goal of saving the greatest number of endangered lives in the shortest time possible.
Critical Task Table 12: Agency roles mapped to the VPF, by critical tasks within the Search and Rescue core capability
Critical Task 12.1: Conduct search operations to locate persons.
| Agency | Activity | Additional alignment to critical tasks |
|---|---|---|
| ADF | During an emergency event or incident involving ADF aircraft or vessels, as detailed in the National Search and Rescue Manual, ADF is the responsible control agency, in conjunction with state Police and the AMSA. | 3.1, 12.3 |
| LSV | Provide air, water and land-based search and rescue services to locate lost persons and vessels at sea and at inland waterways, supporting VicPol through rescue powercraft (rescue boats and rescue watercraft): Inshore search and rescue (up to 2 nautical miles) as well as offshore search and rescue (greater than 2 nautical miles); remote piloted aircraft systems (drones); helicopter services capable of winching persons over land and water; and all-terrain vehicles capable of driving on beaches. | 3.1, 3.2, 10.1, 12.3 |
| Provide both paid and volunteer water-based patrolling and observation services, including inshore, rescue and response services provided from LSV supported locations across Port Phillip Bay, the Victorian coastline and inland waterways. | 3.1, 3.2, 12.3 | |
| PV | Search and rescue on land and in Victorian waters, particularly those managed by PV, under the direction of VicPol. | 3.2 |
| VicPol | Control agency for search and rescue on land and Victorian waters, other than for ADF ships and planes. | 3.1, 12.3 |
| VICSES | Provide continuous protection of life, property and the environment through providing support for:
As Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional areas:
| 5.2, 8.2 |
| Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisations | Support agency to VicPol for land, water and transport search and rescue . | 3.2, 12.3 |
Critical Task 12.2: Coordinate spontaneous volunteers.
No activities identified.
Critical Task 12.3: Conduct rescue of trapped or isolated persons.
| Agency | Activity | Additional alignment to critical tasks |
|---|---|---|
| ADF | During an emergency event or incident involving ADF aircraft or vessels, as detailed in the National Search and Rescue Manual, ADF is the responsible control agency, in conjunction with state Police and the AMSA. | 3.1, 12.1 |
| Airservices Australia | Combat agency for:
| 3.1, 7.2 |
| CFA | Control agency for response:
| 3.1, 7.2 |
| Mines Rescue capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements. | 3.2 | |
| Protect life, property and the environment from the effects of fire, accidents and other hazards through rescue of persons from other emergencies, including fire; road, rail and aircraft accidents; industrial accidents and other emergencies (including provision of steep and high angle rescues). | ||
| Provide key support for tunnel and trench rescue incidents. | 3.2 | |
| USAR capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements. | 3.2 | |
| FRV | Control agency for fire and other emergencies (as identified in the Response table) for the FRV Fire District (including the Port of Melbourne and waters as defined in the Port Management Act 1995):
| 3.1, 7.2 |
| Protect life, property and the environment from the effects of fire, accidents and other hazards through rescue of persons from fire, road, rail and aircraft accidents, industrial accidents and other emergencies. | 3.1 | |
| Provide key support for swift water and maritime incidents. | 3.2 | |
| LSV | Provide air, water and land-based search and rescue services to locate lost persons and vessels at sea and at inland waterways, supporting VicPol through rescue powercraft (rescue boats and rescue watercraft): Inshore search and rescue (up to 2 nautical miles) as well as offshore search and rescue (greater than 2 nautical miles); remote piloted aircraft systems (drones); helicopter services capable of winching persons over land and water; and all-terrain vehicles capable of driving on beaches. | 3.1, 3.2, 10.1, 12.1 |
| Provide both paid and volunteer water-based patrolling and observation services, including inshore, rescue and response services provided from LSV supported locations across Port Phillip Bay, the Victorian coastline and inland waterways. | 3.1, 3.2, 12.1 | |
| VicPol | Control agency for rescues on water, in mines or quarries, caves and road (as per State Road Crash Rescue Arrangements 2023). | 3.1 |
| Control agency for search and rescue on land and Victorian waters, other than for ADF ships and planes. | 3.1, 12.1 | |
| VICSES | Control agency for:
| 3.1 |
| Provide continuous protection of life, property and the environment through rescue of persons from road crash, and rescue of persons endangered by steep and high angle incidents, swift water and other emergencies or dangerous situations. | 3.1 | |
| Volunteer Search and Rescue Organisations | Support agency to VicPol for land, water and transport search and rescue. | 3.2, 12.1 |
Critical Task 12.4: Coordinate the deployment of interstate, national and international people and resources.
| Agency | Activity | Additional alignment to critical tasks |
|---|---|---|
| AMSA | Manager of the National Plan for Maritime Environmental Emergencies including management of oil spill response equipment stockpiles, an aerial dispersant capability and a national team of trained responders and emergency managers. | 16.5 |
| AV | Support the deployment of interstate, national and international pre-hospital health care resources, including health command, Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT) and USAR deployments where requested to do so. | |
| FRV | USAR capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements. | 3.2 |
| Services Australia | Implement agreements with States, Territories and Commonwealth agencies, and outline the arrangements in place with States, Territories and Commonwealth agencies for the provision of support services if resources are overwhelmed during an emergency. Note: Other agreements outline the arrangements between the department and policy agencies about how they will work together to deliver the best possible services (within their portfolio of responsibility) to the community. | 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 3.2, 7.3, 14.4 |
| VicPol | Support other agencies in provision of personnel. | 3.2, 8.3 |
| TZV | Provide timely and effective dispatch services in line with agency direction and provide situational awareness information through operational communication networks, including managing times of peak demand. | 3.2, 7.3, 14.4 |
| Provide timely and effective operational communications services to relevant emergency services organisations and related services organisations | 3.2, 3.4, 7.3, 14.4 | |
| VICSES | Provide continuous protection of life, property and the environment from the effects of fire, accidents and other hazards through USAR capability across Victoria in accordance with state arrangements. | 3.2 |
The department acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.