Make volunteering your resolution for 2014

Acting Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services Andrew Powell urged any Queenslanders looking for a meaningful New Year’s resolution to consider becoming an emergency services volunteer.

Mr Powell said there were a variety of roles across the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) available to new volunteers.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of the emergency services community, which is why our government is so committed to strengthening Queensland’s frontline,” Mr Powell said.

“So if you’re community minded and are looking for a life-changing resolution for 2014, you should consider volunteering with the QFES to make a real difference in your community.

“Emergency services volunteers are everyday heroes who dedicate themselves to protecting the lives and property of their fellow Queenslanders.”

Mr Powell said volunteering was not just reserved for frontline operations but there were many ‘behind the scenes’ roles that kept the State Emergency Service (SES) and Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ) operating year-round.

“Volunteer firefighters not only battle bushfires; they also deliver essential educational workshops and hazard mitigation programs and have the opportunity to undergo training and advancement opportunities,” he said. 

“Rural firefighters are a vital part of remote and rural Queensland and have proven their worth again this year by protecting property and life during the bushfire season.”

Mr Powell also encouraged Queenslanders to join the army of more than 6,000 SES volunteers who respond to natural disasters and emergency situations.

“In the past year, SES volunteers across the State performed approximately 450,000 hours of volunteer work for the Queensland community,” he said.

“As an SES volunteer, you could find yourself working in all kinds of weather to assist vulnerable members of the community during and after storms, cyclones and floods.

“You could also work to assist police in the search for a missing person, provide traffic control at an emergency incident, travel in flood boats to rescue a stranded person or drop supplies to people cut off in the wet season or conduct a public education display at your local show, or shopping centre.

“The majority of SES Units are looking for more volunteers, particularly in the rural and remote areas of the State. All training is provided free of charge.”

For information on joining the Rural Fire Service Queensland, visit www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Volunteering.

For more information on becoming an SES volunteer, phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit www.emergency.qld.gov.au/ses.

[ENDS] 1 January 2014

Media Contact: Kate Haddan 0418 373 516