Established in 1953, the VICSES Chelsea Unit has been one of the longest serving in Victoria and has 58 active volunteer members who responded to 325 requests for assistance between July 2019 and June 2020. Incidents range from floods, trees down, damage to property and responding to operations spanning two thirds of the Kingston local government area.

Settlement of the new facility will take place on 1 July 2021, with construction to commence soon after. The current warehouse will be converted to include a six-bay drive-through motor room, including additional storage for boats and equipment. Existing infrastructure will also be upgraded to support administrative operations, training and emergency response coordination.

Once fit out is complete, the new site will ensure Chelsea’s volunteers are suitably equipped to train and prepare for emergencies and support other emergency services agencies.