SAVEM (South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management) is the state agency responsible for animal welfare during all emergencies.
Their work spans Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery, with most activations occurring during wildfire season. Increasing climate extremes have created a clear need for scalable, resilient emergency resources. SAVEM required a purpose built, self sufficient vehicle that could support volunteers, act as a forward command post and enable veterinary care in the field.
Context & Challenge
SAVEM sought to upgrade its emergency capability in response to more frequent and severe weather events driven by climate change. Past deployments revealed gaps in accommodation, communication and field base functionality. SAVEM also needed a reliable, fit for purpose space for Incident Management Teams and volunteer respite to improve welfare outcomes for both people and animals. A custom built platform was essential to ensure self sufficiency, safe workflow and alignment with SAVEM’s multi phase emergency responsibilities.
The MCC needed to be self sufficient for extended deployments, provide flexible and functional spaces for all phases of Emergency Management, and operate as both a forward command post and crew support hub. SAVEM required reliable communications with field teams, the adjacent inflatable field hospital and other emergency agencies. The MCC also needed the ability to act as a community contact point as operations transition from Response into Recovery.
Working with Aldom
SAVEM describes the process with Aldom as first class. From the initial concept in 2015 to final delivery, Aldom refined and elevated the design through engineering expertise, compliance integration and supplier coordination. Communication was consistent and transparent, and the SAVEM team felt genuinely welcomed throughout the build. Project contributors including Isuzu, MyEnergy, Victron, Muegge Mechanical and Signs By Knight have all expressed pride in the final outcome.
Aldom delivered full design and compliance engineering, structural fabrication and systems integration. Dual slide out modules significantly increase workspace without exceeding axle limits, solving long standing constraints for incident management. A solar integrated 24V DC system ensures off grid capability, supporting communications, lighting and refrigeration for veterinary consumables. All modifications were validated through structured design reviews, ADR and VSB6 checks and quality inspections.
Outcome & Expected Impact
The MCC provides a safe, comfortable space for SAVEM volunteers during arduous deployments and offers dedicated zones for incident management, welfare support and veterinary care. Co locating the MCC with SAVEM’s inflatable field hospital improves security, power access and continuous patient monitoring. As SAVEM prepares for first deployment, the team is finalising consumables, SOPs and volunteer training. The MCC is expected to significantly enhance SAVEM’s capability across Response and Recovery phases.
The result is a resilient, self sufficient platform that supports SAVEM’s mission statewide. It provides command space, veterinary capability and volunteer support in one compliant, purpose built vehicle. The MCC strengthens SAVEM’s ability to respond rapidly, safeguard animal welfare and assist communities more effectively.
The SAVEM MCC is a game changer for veterinary emergency management. Our vision has been realised thanks to funding from the National Emergency Management Agency, the high quality of project contributors and to Aldom’s exemplary skill and expertise.
Rachel, SAVEM Mobile Care Centre