Volunteers are involved in virtually every aspect of the emergency management process - prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Without them, the level of protection available to our community would be reduced.

Australia has around 6 million volunteers, with over 500,000 in the emergency management sector. There are many volunteering opportunities available to the willing who may be young or old, physically fit or the not so fit!

The Justice and Community Safety Directorate has over 600 volunteers. Our volunteers generally need to give up a few hours each week for training, which is usually during the evening, and be able to respond when an emergency actually occurs. This may entail leaving work at short notice, so they need to discuss their possible commitment with their employer.

Community Fire Units

The CFUs are part of the ACT Fire Brigade. The 1000 volunteers that make up the CFUs are residents who live close to bush land areas across the ACT. They are not firefighters but are trained and equipped by the ACTFB to safeguard local homes during a bushfire until the fire services arrive.

More information is available on their website.

The ACT Rural Fire Service

The ACT RFS has nine volunteer brigades, and approximately 450 active volunteer bushfire fighters.

Visit their website to find out more about the work they do and how to become a volunteer.

The ACT State Emergency Service

The ACT SES has seven volunteer units, with approximately 200 active volunteer members.

Visit their website to find out more about the work they do and how to become a volunteer.

Mapping and Planning Support

The Mapping and Planning Support group (MAPS) is a sub-group within both the NSW RFS and the ACT RFS Headquarters Brigade.

Information flyer.

The Australian Emergency Management Volunteer Forum

The AEMVF is a national forum representing the volunteer emergency management sector to build better communication between the organisations within it and to provide advocacy for the sector.

Visit their website.