General News
10 November, 2022
Sign up now to volunteer during emergencies, resource centre warns
Residents in Central Goldfields and surrounds have dealt with floods and wild weather recently, and as the bushfire season fast approaches, the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre is encouraging community members eager to lend a hand during local...
Residents in Central Goldfields and surrounds have dealt with floods and wild weather recently, and as the bushfire season fast approaches, the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre is encouraging community members eager to lend a hand during local emergencies to link up with a volunteer organisation now.
Many residents are prompted to volunteer during large-scale emergencies, however the resource centre is warning that volunteers need training prior to the events.
Resource centre spokesperson Faye Pyke said residents who want to jump in and help during emergencies must be properly trained, and may otherwise be turned away.
“Unless those willing volunteers are properly prepared and trained in advance, the safety of all can be atrisk and the effectiveness of the emergency operations can be compromised,” she said.
“Some of these people are dismayed when we have to explain that organisations can’t automatically take them on as volunteers because of the legal liability and safely considerations involved.
“We sometimes feel awful in this predicament but the reality is volunteer responders get really distracted from our tasks when this occurs.
“It actually makes our work more difficult when we need to be focused on the job at hand.”
Ms Pyke said if anyone is interested in providing assistance in an emergency, it’s important to act now and join one of the response organisations such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army, CFA or SES.
She also said there will always be a place for neighbourly care and support from family and friends.
“Of course neighbours can always help with tasks such as securing and moving valuables as well as safely transporting victims in advance of the disaster,” she said.
“Help from friends with recovery and clean-up is also much appreciated.”
Ms Pyke is urging residents to enquire now about joining any of the relief and recovery organisations.
Checks required for volunteers such as Police Checks and Working With Children Checks are usually free or paid for by the volunteer organisation.
For more information on volunteering with a local group, contact the Maryborough Volunteer Resource Centre on 0497 667 480 or maryboroughvrc@gmail.com.