Melton’s State Emergency Service unit is the most undermanned in Melbourne’s north-west.
With 20 active volunteers serving a population of more than 130,000, the unit has marginally less capacity per head of population than Wyndham (35 volunteers), Whittlesea (44) and Brimbank (55).
Melton SES spokesman Karl Sass said local recruiting drives had fallen by the wayside in recent years – a vicious cycle caused in part by the volunteer shortage.
“Melton is a fast-growing area and we have lots of challenges keeping our numbers up with population growth,” Mr Sass said.
“Like all volunteer emergency services, we’re facing challenges … Melton is no different. Over the past year or two, the lack of volunteers has meant less focus on public awareness and recruitment. We’re working on fixing that.”
Brimbank unit controller Claudelle Dalgleish said SES units could not rely on fundraising alone for big-ticket items such as replacement of trucks, which cost more than $100,000.
Brimbank SES has been wanting to buy land for a new station, possibly in Ardeer, Albion or Sunshine West, but Ms Dalgleish said she feared this was a pipe dream.
“This fundraising takes years and, in the case of land for a satellite location, it may never be a reality,” she said.
“Zoning and property sizes also become an issue for emergency service vehicles and parking for volunteers.”
Brimbank council has been in discussions with the unit for a potential second station, and the council provides its Keilor Park centre rent-free.
