Uranquinty Community Safety Group’s Deb Bewick and Brian Mahony have partnered with Council Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood and SES Deputy Zone Commander – Western Riverina Brett Koschel to deliver free disaster response training. Photo: Wagga Wagga City Council.
Local volunteers have been invited to take part in free disaster response training and upskilling through Wagga Wagga City Council’s Resilient Response Project.
The project, to be rolled out in the local government area, is providing flood response equipment and volunteer training for local organisations to ensure our community is better prepared and skilled to respond to disasters.
It includes the purchase of assets and resources to support flood response and recovery in North Wagga, Oura and Uranquinty alongside a six-month free community training program to upskill volunteers.
Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood said the initiative would assist communities in responding to natural disasters.
“During times of crisis, we know that everyone is keen to lend a helping hand, but often lack the skills or confidence to step up, which creates a barrier to volunteering, but also can make a situation more unsafe,” Mr Osgood said.
“Local volunteers, regardless of their experience, can take advantage of free training through the Resilient Response Project, such as mental health first aid, and provide first aid and CPR training.
“Volunteer coordinators and service managers also have access to workshops based on lateral violence and asset-based community development.”
Wagga Council said that to make the project possible, it was successful in obtaining $96,160 through the NSW Government’s Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers Program, part of a recommendation from the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry to support better coordination of community efforts to save life and property during a disaster.
“The grant has also supported the purchase of a range of equipment, including high-pressure hoses, trash pumps and a generator for areas prone to flooding,” Mr Osgood said.
“Local community action groups and the State Emergency Service (SES) have been instrumental in ensuring we are delivering the training and resources required to make a positive impact.
“It’s one of the wonderful things about rural and regional communities is that we band together and get the job done. This program will strengthen community responses and help us to take better care of ourselves before, during and after a crisis.”
The training will take place from August to November, and all training is free for volunteers, with employers able to send their staff for a nominal fee.
Book your spot at the training on the City of Wagga Wagga website.
