By Jed Lanyon
The Red Cross is searching for the next group of talented and skilled individuals to join their emergency services team across Victoria.
The charity and relief organisation currently has 13 different types of roles across the state for emergency services volunteers, who are there when people need them the most.
Red Cross Hoddles Creek chairman Jennifer Seabrook hopes that many people can get involved in the Red Cross in the exact same way she did 13 years ago, by reading an article in their local newspaper. Now Ms Seabrook has been nominated for the Red Cross’ Victorian Division Advisory Board.
“Emergency service volunteers are specially trained to help in an emergency. A large part of what they do is providing psychological first aid,” she said.
“All of the people who were wearing Red Cross shirts during the coverage of the recent bushfires were there to help people emotionally and support them as they work their way through paper work and finding places to stay.
“It is vital to have local emergency service volunteers. The number of emergency service volunteers locally has dropped over the last few years. It’s vital that the number increases so that if there’s a local emergency, then there are locals who are here to help.”
Ms Seabrook shared her experience with volunteering with the Red Cross over many years. She says the Red Cross has given her a new sense of connection to her community.
“Volunteering isn’t a full-time job, it’s an opportunity to help when you have got the time and the expertise that’s needed… It’s a really positive experience helping people, you can’t underestimate the positive experience of the person who is being helped as well as the volunteer.
“It gave me a real connection with the community and particularly because I was relatively new to the area at the time I joined up. I feel like I’m part of the community, I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true.
Emergency services volunteers are there when people need them the most – supporting communities before, during and after emergencies. These roles are for community minded people with varying skills in community engagement, leadership and frontline emergency response. Training will be provided for all roles.
Applications close on 14 September. Find out more and apply here: https://www.redcross.org.au/volunteer
