Xe Northern Incident Management Unit (IMU) helps coordinate emergency operations and supports the people and resources responding in the field.

Members can support the Regional Operations Centre and mobile emergency operations capability, undertaking tasks such as communications, logistics, administration, resource coordination and staging area management. The unit may support SES, Tasmania Fire Service and Tasmania Police operations.

What to expect: Incident Management is generally less physically demanding than frontline rescue, but plays an important role during emergencies. Members may work with radios, computers, maps, operational information and resource systems, sometimes for extended periods during major incidents.

May suit you if: You enjoy organisation, problem solving, communications, technology, planning and working as part of a coordinated team.

Training: Fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at Northern Regional Headquarters, Youngtown.

Xe Launceston General Response Unit provides hands-on emergency response across the Launceston area and can also support other SES units and emergency service agencies when required.

Recruitment: The unit generally recruits once each year. The next intake is likely to occur in early 2027. Expressions of interest submitted before the next intake may be placed on a waitlist until recruitment recommences.

Members are trained to respond to storm and flood damage, and land search operations, as well as supporting emergency operations centres. The unit may also assist Tasmania Police with activities such as scene preservation and traffic management.

What to expect: This is an operational, field-based unit. Members may respond during severe weather, at night, on weekends or at other times when emergencies occur. Because members need to be able to respond to the Youngtown facility in a timely manner, living within approximately 10–12 km of the facility would be ideal.

May suit you if: You enjoy practical, hands-on work, teamwork and responding directly to emergencies.

Training: Fortnightly on Wednesday evenings at Northern Regional Headquarters, Youngtown.

Xe Northern Operational Support Unit provides practical and logistical support that helps frontline responders and emergency operations function effectively.

A key part of the unit’s role is logistics and resource support. Members may assist with preparing, moving and delivering equipment and resources to incidents, maintaining essential supplies and supporting supply chains during longer-duration or complex operations.

Members may also assist with communications, administration, equipment management, information management and other operational support tasks.

What to expect: Members may work from SES facilities, logistics points, operations centres or incident locations, helping ensure crews receive the equipment, supplies and resources they need.

May suit you if: You enjoy logistics, organisation, practical support, coordinating equipment and resources, and helping keep emergency operations running smoothly.

Xe Northern Search and Rescue Unit (SAR) is a specialist team trained to support Tasmania Police with searches and rescue operations, particularly in remote and challenging environments.

Recruitment: The unit generally recruits once each year. The next intake is likely to occur in early 2027. Expressions of interest submitted before the next intake may be placed on a waitlist until recruitment recommences.

Members undertake specialist training in search techniques, navigation, communications and first aid and may be deployed on searches across Northern Tasmania and elsewhere in the state.

What to expect: Search and Rescue can be physically demanding. Members need to be prepared to operate for extended periods in remote areas, difficult terrain and changing weather conditions. Search operations can occur with little notice and may continue for many hours.

May suit you if: You enjoy bushwalking, navigation, outdoor activities, teamwork and working in challenging environments.

Training: Fortnightly on Thursday evenings at Northern Regional Headquarters, Youngtown.