Including 150 delegates from the Victoria State Emergency Services (VICSES), Ambulance Victoria and CFA, the forum will focus on volunteer leaders, exposing them to a range of initiatives and developments in emergency management.
CFA Executive Director for Operational Training and Volunteerism, Lex de Man, said volunteers’ understanding of the latest in policy, doctrine and technology will better prepare them when responding to emergencies and will result in better outcomes for the community.
“As part of this forum, volunteers will hear from a number of guest speakers and be involved in workshops and demonstrations looking at emergency response vehicles, community warnings, personal protective equipment and aerial firefighting, just to name a few things,” he said.
“Heading into Volunteer Week, this forum is a great example of how valuable volunteers are to emergency service organisations in Victoria and the importance of training and up-skilling our current and future leaders.”
Ambulance Victoria General Manager Regional Services, Tony Walker, said the conference would help further develop ties between emergency services volunteers.
“An integral part of this conference will be the ability of our volunteers to network with other emergency service organisations, learn from each other and improve communications and practices,” Mr Walker said.
VICSES CEO Mary Barry said the conference promised to be an invaluable experience for volunteers.
“With sessions on a wide range of topics, including the use of social media, applying for grants and using good leadership, participants will come away from this event a lot richer,” she said.
“This will give our SES units some new tools for their toolbox, and a new way to use the existing ones.”
The Volunteer Leaders Forum is being hosted by the Emergency Services Foundation - a trust to provide immediate support for those who suffer hardship as a result of the death of a family member or injuries sustained in the line of duty.
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