How Covid jab rules are holding back SES flood volunteers

Daniel Andrews has hit back at criticism of jab mandates hampering flood-relief efforts, saying the rules only affect “a tiny number” of SES volunteers.

Some SES volunteers have been prevented from responding to Victoria’s flood crisis because of ongoing Covid vaccine mandates.

Liberal Democrats Northern Victoria MP Tim Quilty has urged Premier Daniel Andrews to waive remaining vaccine mandate requirements.

The Herald Sun understands SES volunteers must have at least two doses of a Covid vaccine to respond to emergencies.

Mr Quilty claimed that before the flood emergency, a number of SES units were struggling to remain open because of jab requirements.

“Since the flood crisis began I have been contacted by a number of SES volunteers upset they were banned from attending their units to assist,” he said.

“It is absolute madness that while rivers are rising, scores of SES volunteers are not allowed to help because they might not reach double or triple vaccine requirements.

“If the pandemic really is over as Premier Andrews claims, why can’t members of the SES help out their neighbours during floods?”

SES volunteers must have at least two doses of a Covid vaccine to respond to emergencies. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Quilty’s claims that jab rules were impacting the SES response are “simply wrong”.

“I really don’t understand why a particular member of parliament is raising this point,” he said.

“My advice is no Covid rules are impacting the response on the ground.”

Mr Andrews said he didn’t know how many volunteers in total were sidelined because of their decision to not get vaccinated.

“I don’t have a number for you, but it is a tiny number,” he said.

Mr Quilty said regional Victorians were resilient people.

“We are used to dealing with adversity and have always pulled through events like this by looking after one another,” he said.

“The last thing we need right now is the Melbourne government creating red tape and making it harder for us to help each other.”

An SES spokesman said all volunteers required two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine in order to respond to emergencies and attend critical training.

“Emergency services personnel encounter a lot of vulnerable people in their work inclusive of those in aged care and health facilities,” he said.

“There is only a very small percentage of VICSES volunteers that have not had the two doses required and this has had no overall impact to service delivery.

“VICSES is incredibly proud of the role of our volunteers during this emergency who have responded to over 7,200 calls for help in the past seven days and conducted more than 750 flood rescues.”

Liberal Democrats Northern Victoria MP Tim Quilty has urged Premier Daniel Andrews to waive remaining vaccine mandate requirements.

Internal messaging sent to all SES volunteers on October 12, when the Andrews government’s pandemic orders eased, said Covid settings and advice would remain unchanged.

“While VICSES undertake the appropriate risk assessment and consultation, we have agreed within the sector to maintain the current vaccination requirements for all members (volunteers and staff),” the letter, obtained by the Herald Sun, stated.

“This requires three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine or where members meet the Covid-19 exceptional circumstances exemption, to be able to participate/work as part of VICSES duties, as per the current VICSES COVIDSafe Directions.

“Part of this risk assessment will consider the nature of activities being undertaken, and overall interaction with vulnerable populations. We encourage all individuals to strongly consider their safety and that of the wider community.

“Emergency Services Organisations (ESOs) have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all members to the extent reasonably possible, and owe a duty of care to the wider community.”

With the exception of the health and aged care sector, who are required to maintain mandatory vaccination requirements under a Department of Health direction, individual organisations are now responsible for implementing their own respective vaccination policies.