About Victoria Police

The Search and Rescue Squad (SAR) provides specialist expertise, advice and practical assistance in land search and rescue. This expertise covers most terrains including snow and vertical cliff search and rescue.

History

The Search and Rescue Squad was formed in 1957 after several unsuccessful searches for missing persons in remote areas. Initially the squad consisted of five men with considerable bush experience, whose role was to control and coordinate bush searches. When not engaged in searches these members performed general police duties.

In 1958 members were trained in diving by the Royal Australian Navy, and from this time onward the squad became responsible for underwater searches. These searches included the search and recovery of deceased persons, stolen property, weapons, court evidence, motor vehicles and other objects. The squad became fully operational in 1962 in response to the increasing demand for its services.

Search operations

The squad's duties include underwater diving, bush search and rescue, snow search and rescue, mountaineering, navigation, cliff rescue and airborne operations. They also search ship hulls for drugs, investigate diving fatalities and retrieve cars, exhibits or bodies from rivers and lakes.

Rescue operations

The Search and Rescue Squad provide assistance in land, snow and vertical cliff search and rescue. The Rescue Coordination Centre provides the squad with information on the location and assistance required. It is the squad's responsibility to provide the necessary equipment depending on whether it is a land, water, snow or vertical cliff rescue.

Operational support

Depending on the nature of an operation, the Search and Rescue Squad sometimes works with other Emergency Response Division Squads, such as the Air Wing to assist in searching and transporting members to isolated locations.

Demonstrations and protests

During planned lengthy or potentially violent public demonstrations, Search and Rescue can be deployed to remove large or solid objects that have been positioned to obstruct operational police members.

Search and Rescue has also assisted in the removal of forest demonstrators who have positioned themselves in trees or attached themselves to tree-removing equipment.

Training support for operational members

Search and Rescue assists local operational police by providing advice and formal training in bush craft and map reading.

Equipment

The Search and Rescue Squad has a vast range of equipment including:

• Dive operations vehicle, fitted with equipment to cover most operational situations
• Four 4WDs that carry a full complement of recovery equipment including first-aid kits, winches, axes, chain slings and snatch blocks and chains
• Two over-snow vehicles
• Two boats
• Communications equipment
• Cliff rescue and climbing equipment
• Bushwalking equipment
• Snow equipment
• Diving equipment
  

The squad uses twin-cylinder diving units for most diving operations. A high-pressure compressor is also carried on the dive truck and to other long-term dive sites.

A 'personal issue' wetsuit protects each diver from injury and retains enough warmth to withstand even the coldest water. An inflatable 'Fenzy' assists ascent to the surface through a compressed air cylinder, which automatically inflates the vest. Standard diving accessories include swim fins, facemask, diving knives, weight belt and a lifeline between the diver and the on-land attendant.

Search and Rescue members undertake daily maintenance procedures to make sure their specialised equipment is in top working order.

Outdoor and bush information - trip intentions form 

The Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad (SAR) has created a webpage to provide people with information about outdoor and bush safety.

Contact us

Search and Rescue Squad
100 Nelson Place
Williamstown VIC 3016
Phone  (03) 9399 7503
Fax        (03) 9399 9252