SES Hastings Unit

Not a typical week for Hastings SES…

While this week our pagers only activated a few times, we certainly didn’t expect to be called for a bridge collapse!

On Wednesday afternoon our crews were called out after reports came in that the suspension bridge that crosses Merricks Creek had collapsed, on arrival our crews were indeed met with a very broken bridge. Fortunately no one was injured during the collapse so our team secured the scene to prevent access or injuries occurring and notified the relevant authorities to manage the cleanup.

While this sort of incident definitely wasn’t on our bingo cards for 2026 it really does prove that Hastings SES is ready for anything.

See yourself in orange? Join VICSES below👇
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us
Short on time but not on change? Donate to VICSES
Hastings 👇
https://www.givenow.com.au/seshastingsunit

We may be called the Hastings SES but that doesn’t mean we are only here for Hastings!

Did you know? Hastings SES covers the majority of the Mornington Peninsula, providing a 24/7 emergency service to the community from Baxter in the North, Mornington and Mt Martha in the West, Shoreham and Pt Leo in the South and of course, Hastings in the East, on top of this we are also trained and prepared to respond and cover the residents of French Island should the need arise, with the help of our friends at Westernport Coast Guard.

Within our response area we cover a full 723 square kilometres of land, 193kms of beautiful coastline, more than 80,000 dwellings and a population of approximately 155,000 which is growing by the day, all of this is covered by a small team of 50 Volunteers who give up their time to respond to an increasing average of more than 500 callouts per year.

As we approach the wet and windy months, does this sound like a challenge you’re up to? Get in touch with our team or click the link below to find out more!

Here at Hastings SES, one of our top priorities is helping restore a sense of normality to our community after an emergency, so if your home was damaged during a storm, what happens now?

Our volunteers regularly train in the art of temporary emergency repairs, using a vast array of tools, sand bagging equipment, tarps and waterproofing materials we aim to make the building safe, to prevent further damage and give occupants time to seek professional repairs.

This week (18th-24th of May) is national Volunteer week! Celebrating all those who give up their time for the community, so we’re asking you, will you make 2026 your year to volunteer?

See yourself in orange? Join VICSES below👇
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us

More than just trees on roads??

While the SES is very well known for our storm related response, especially tree down and flooding calls, did you know that SES units are also trained to assist in many other rescue situations, such as supporting Ambulance Victoria?

Recently, on one of our Monday night training sessions Hastings SES headed to the Hastings Skate Park to practise using our low angle rope systems to assist in moving a patient through difficult terrain.

This is one of many skillsets that Hastings SES could be called on to provide at anytime, and we’re prepared 💪

🧡Wear Orange Wednesday 🧡
Today is a very special day for all of us here at Hastings SES, and SES units around Australia. Falling right in the middle of national volunteer week is Wear Orange Wednesday, Aka WOW Day!

Today is a day to celebrate all things SES and give thanks to our volunteers in Orange who show up 24/7 when the community calls ready to tackle any emergency.

To show your support, why not throw a splash of orange into your daily life, it could be a small touch to colour to your outfit, some crazy orange socks, or even break out an orange drink bottle for the day!

See yourself in orange? Join VICSES below👇
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us
Short on time but not on change? Donate to VICSES
Hastings 👇
https://www.givenow.com.au/seshastingsunit

Did you know? Durng major storm events we may open Hastings Local Headquarters (LHQ) as an Incident Control Point (ICP).

The Hastings ICP is managed by a group of highly skilled volunteers, some of whom also volunteer on the trucks while others prefer the strategic management side of incidents.

During storm events Hastings SES can have anywhere from 10 to a few hundred active requests for assistance and it’s up to our ICP team to manage and coordinate resources to make sure that all jobs get completed in a timely manner, we simply couldn’t do what we do without these amazing people!

Does this sound like a challenge you’re up for? Get in touch and we can show you how!

National Volunteer Week 2026 🧡
Today marks the start of National Volunteer week, a time to recognise the incredible people who give their time to support the community.

Here at Hastings SES, we are 100% volunteer run, from our members out on the trucks attending requests for assistance to those manning the Incident Control Points and the administrative side of the service, we all volunteer because we share a desire to help the community when they need us.

Also, this Wednesday the 20th of May is WOW Day! Also known as Wear Orange Wednesday, this is a time to celebrate our SES Volunteers by throwing a small touch of orange into your outfit for the day, to show your support for our team!

See yourself in orange? Join VICSES below👇
https://www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us
Short on time but not on change? Donate to VICSES
Hastings 👇
https://www.givenow.com.au/seshastingsunit

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

What a day!
Thank you to everyone who came down to meet and chat to your local emergency services.
Huge shout out to Victoria Police police for organising the Emergency Services Open day.
And we couldn't have done it without the support of SES Chelsea Unit, SES Cranbourne Unit, SES Sorrento Unit, SES Southern Metro Regional Unit , SES Eastern Metropolitan Region Unit
See you all next year!