Recognising Employers of Emergency
Management Volunteers
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<Your organisation name & logo>
Annually, employers of emergency management volunteers make a
valuable contribution to the <State/Territory> community.
Employers of emergency management volunteers play an important role in the community by releasing volunteers
from work to attend emergency incidents, meetings, training or through provision of other forms of support.
<Agency name> also acknowledges the valuable contribution of self-employed volunteers who often sacrifice their
earning capacity and time.
It is important that emergency management volunteers let their employers know how much their support is
appreciated by them and the community.
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What do emergency management volunteers do?
Volunteers around Australia are members of a vast array of volunteer organisations which are the lead agencies for
major natural hazards including storms, floods, bushfires and other emergencies. Volunteers may be involved in:
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Road crash rescue
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Land and marine search and rescue
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Beach patrol
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24/7 call-out responses to natural disasters and other emergencies
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Ambulance services
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Care for the welfare of people affected by disasters
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Assist communities in the recovery process after a disaster
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Deliver community education, prevention, preparedness and recovery programs to local communities
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Administrative support in local areas to assist the running of EM units
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Logistics, planning and communication activities
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Publicity/marketing.
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Where would we be without our volunteers?
Emergency management volunteers are highly trained and possess a wide range of skills such as: fire fighting,
search and rescue and personal support, to name just a few. Many volunteers also receive training in leadership and
possess workplace assessor qualifications.
They provide time, knowledge, expertise and service on a voluntary basis by undertaking a range of emergencyrelated operational and non-operational roles.
Ways employers can assist with emergency management
•
By releasing your employees who are volunteers, to attend emergency incidents wherever possible.
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Encouraging emergency management volunteering through distribution of pamphlets to employees,
advertising in-house to customers or making reference to emergency management volunteering on your
company intranet or website.
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Informing new employees about emergency management volunteering opportunities through the company’s
induction program.
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Donating, or lending, plant and equipment to assist emergency management agencies.
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Promoting emergency management volunteering during the year, particularly National Volunteer Week in
May.
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Mentioning that you employ emergency management volunteers in your company’s annual report.
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Supporting volunteer fund raising initiatives.
Benefits for Employers
The benefits of supporting employees who are volunteers include:
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Opportunities to build relationships with the local community
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Increased awareness of community issues
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Increased ability to attract and retain skilled staff
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Increased staff productivity
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Increased staff morale
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Positive corporate image
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Positive public relations through <State/Territory> Volunteer Employer Recognition Scheme.
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Volunteers: Nominate your employer for an award
Does your employer assist you to carry out your volunteer role in the event of an emergency?
If so, please take the time to nominate your employer for an award.
<Agency name> Volunteer Employer Recognition Scheme encourages emergency management volunteers to
nominate their employer for an award.
Following assessment of each criterion, your employer may be awarded a certificate and recognition that they
support emergency management volunteers.
This award can be presented to your employer at an official function or other appropriate event.
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To obtain a nomination form, please visit <agency/organisation website>
For more information, please contact <name> on <Tel. Ph. No.>.
Interested in finding out more? Please contact <agency name> for more information to assist your organisation in
promoting volunteering to your employees.
Telephone: <Tel. Ph. No.> Web: <agency/organisation website>
Employers supporting volunteers for a safer community.
Find out more about Emergency Management Volunteers:
Attorney-General’s Department
www.ema.gov.au/volunteers
Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum
www.aemvf.org.au
You can contact national, state/territory or even local agencies and organisations online, by phone, email or by post.
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010