The State Emergency Service was overloaded for call-outs when wild winds swept through Brimbank last week.
SES deputy unit controller Brad Dalgleish said his team could use a break after receiving more than 214 calls for help.
Gusts up to 117km/h were recorded at Essendon Airport just after midnight on September 30.
The Brimbank SES unit needed back-up support from two regional crews after being swamped by calls for help.
“We’ve done 154 jobs since July 1, so the crew is feeling it,” he said. “They’re a bit fatigued.
“We have about 50 volunteers and about 35 to 40 are really active, so we could always use more.’’
Brimbank’s SES control centre was also without power for nearly 24 hours.
“We went through a lot of fuel to keep the back-up generator operating,’’ Mr Dalgleish said. “It happens from time to time, but there’s not much we can do about it.”
Calls for help included 104 for building damage, 71 for fallen trees and 34 for “tree-down traffic hazards”, and at least 10 parked cars were damaged by fallen trees.
A Brimbank SES crew and truck was also deployed to help clean up in Frankston on Thursday.
Mr Dalgleish reminded residents that it was always important to be prepared for wild weather.
“Don’t park your cars under trees during significant wind,” he said.
“And have a safety plan, stock up with plenty of water, batteries and non-perishable food items.
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