Northern Territory communities will be better able to respond to emergencies through a skills and leadership workshop for senior traditional owners and volunteers from the Indigenous Rangers program.

Federal Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said helping volunteers develop specialised capabilities increases community resilience.

“Communities around Australia rely on their emergency management volunteers, so we need to support them in providing that vital service at a high standard,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Emergency Management Volunteer Scholarships are one way the Government does that.

“This week’s workshop will give frontline volunteers more tools to help their communities prepare for and respond when disaster strikes.

“Operational planning and collaborating with emergency management agencies are some key lessons those volunteers will use in life-threatening situations.

“We’ve got to be ready to face these risks. I’m proud of the volunteers who put their hand up to help others in tough times. The Government is committed to helping them do that to the best of their ability.”

Senator for the Northern Territory Sam MacMahon welcomed the training.

“Volunteers are integral to most community emergency plans and developing specialised capabilities among them provides better outcomes for the community as a whole”

“People in the community of Katherine tell me the improved training, skills and capabilities of volunteers give them a sense of security”.

“Supporting services, like the Emergency Management Volunteer service, is fundamental to delivering reliable services at a high standard. By implementing these scholarships we can ensure those goals are met.”

FAST FACTS

• This program is part of the Australian Government’s $2 million Emergency Management Volunteer Scholarship Fund administered by the Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience.
  • These scholarships provide volunteers access to vocational and higher education qualifications in emergency and disaster management.
  • This week’s five day workshop is facilitated by Charles Darwin University for a group of Indigenous Rangers and senior traditional owners from the Northern Territory.
    
• The workshop for prospective Indigenous emergency management volunteers covers:
• models of emergency management in remote communities;
• operational planning;
• communicating with emergency management agencies;
• first aid;
• fire management;
• leadership training; and
• workplace communication.