On average, volunteers from the VICSES Stawell Unit respond to approx. 180 requests for assistance per year, predominately for injured tourists.

Many of these requests for assistance require our volunteers to physically carry out bushwalkers who have been injured, or have gone missing whilst bushwalking.

Already within three days of the Grampians National Park Peaks Trail opening, volunteers from the unit were called to assist with their first rescue on the trail. The trail has already led to an observable increase in demand on Stawell VICSES volunteers, as well as other emergency service agencies in the region.

However, the opening of the new trail does not have to translate into injury for bushwalkers and risk to our volunteers, if visitors to our parks are prepared. That's why they are encouraging people to:

VICSES Stawell Unit Controller Alan Blight said he was excited more tourists are visiting the region.

"But we want people to actively think about their safety before they go bush walking by making sure you've got appropriate footwear, food and water before you go," he said.

As more Victorians and visitors get back outdoors, SES is asking hikers to be prepared. Sharing of location information is particularly difficult for open space locations with no set addresses such as beaches, parks and trails, so it's very important to keep phones charged and attention is paid to the emergency markers lining trail routes.

Anyone interested in joining the VICSES Stawell Unit, to help assist with carry outs, and to engage local residents and visitors on key safety information when visiting the Grampians, visit the website www.ses.vic.gov.au/join-us, or call 1300 842 737 or email: midwest@ses.vic.gov.au.

Along with the satisfaction of volunteering and the pleasure of making new friends, volunteering for VICSES often leads to job opportunities in other emergency service agencies.

Quotes attributable to Acting Assistant Chief Officer, Jackson Bell said volunteering is a great opportunity to learn new skills and to give back to your community.

"Volunteers support their people in their time of need, and are invaluable to their communities," he said.

"We're recruiting for a range of roles, including operational activities, such as land search, flood and storm response, and road crash rescue, as well as for administrative and community engagement."