What an incredible moment for the Victorian State Emergency Service (VICSES)! Their hard work and dedication to fleet innovation have been rewarded with the prestigious 2025 Fleet Innovation Award. This victory is not just a recognition of great design and engineering but a celebration of the creativity and collaboration that happens behind the scenes in fleet management.
A Fresh Take on Everyday Challenges
VICSES faced a familiar challenge — outdated heavy rescue trucks that couldn’t keep up with modern demands. The vehicles were prone to breakdowns, suffered from poor ergonomics, and struggled to meet the needs of volunteers working in extreme conditions. Storage constraints, outdated lighting, and an over-reliance on complex electrical systems were making life harder for those who already work in tough environments.
Instead of patching up old problems, VICSES took a completely new direction. They combined practical know-how with visionary thinking, bringing together volunteers, engineers, and external experts to design the ideal heavy rescue truck from scratch.
Bold Design and Smart Technology
The result is the Next Generation Heavy Rescue Truck — a state-of-the-art vehicle packed with features that demonstrate innovation and practicality. From Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to 3D scanning and multi-phase durability testing, VICSES ensured every part of the truck was ready for the real world.
Ergonomics was another major focus, with input from professional consultants ensuring easy tool access, user-friendly storage, and smart design features tailored to volunteers of all sizes and abilities. Add in advanced lighting systems, battery-powered tools, and built-in welfare facilities like a fridge/freezer and hot water, and you’ve got a vehicle designed for comfort, safety, and top performance.
Measuring the Impact
VICSES isn’t just celebrating a design win — they’re seeing practical benefits that will last for years to come. The new fleet offers improved operational efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and the flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies down the track. It also allows VICSES to engage multiple suppliers for production, speeding up delivery times while retaining high standards.
Volunteers are already seeing the difference. Easier equipment access, faster setup times, and improved safety features mean quicker responses and more effective outcomes in emergency situations.
The Joy of Collaboration
This project is a shining example of what happens when fleet practitioners are given the space to be creative.
As Marc Sibbald, Director – Fleet at IPWEA, puts it: “The Fleet Innovation Award is fantastic recognition of the work fleet practitioners are doing to reduce costs, keep people safe, and use technology to improve fleet management practices.”
“Each of the finalists submitted projects that took an innovative approach to solving everyday fleet management issues. Fleet practitioners are practical by nature. When getting the job done, the creativity and the collaboration is overlooked. It’s only when you are judged by your peers for comparison that the innovation is truly recognised.”
Building Momentum for the Future
VICSES’ innovative approach has set a new benchmark for emergency fleet management. Their ownership of the design process allows them to continually adapt and improve, staying ahead of evolving operational needs. And their willingness to collaborate, consult widely, and test thoroughly ensures that each vehicle is built not just for today but for the future.
The ripple effect of this project is already being felt, with other emergency services looking to VICSES as a leader in best practice fleet management.
An Achievement Worth Celebrating
The 2025 Fleet Innovation Award isn’t just a trophy for the cabinet; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when innovation, collaboration, and practicality come together. The VICSES Next Generation Heavy Rescue Truck stands as a proud example of continuous improvement in fleet management, and its success will benefit volunteers and communities across Victoria for years to come.
Congratulations to VICSES — and to every fleet practitioner who continues to push boundaries, solve problems, and deliver solutions that make a real difference.
