We truly appreciate working alongside and learning from the RFS and other local groups, who help us to build connected communities from the inside out. Watch this video of Jeff Lucas, Broulee/Mossy Point RFS volunteer, explaining the benefits of our Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers (SSV) program in the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shires.

 

 

A connected community, built on relationships born during times of safe stability, is essential for being able to respond well in crisis—which is why our Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers program is as much about connection as it is about practical preparedness.

“When there is trust, familiarity, shared experiences and the safety to be vulnerable, our communities are stronger, more resilient, more able to band together and to show up for other people”, explained program coordinator Von Hutcheson.

Funded by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the SSV program aims to support and empower local communities on a grassroots level in their endeavours to be better prepared for any future emergencies.

Through direct consultation with community members and local stakeholders, we identify interests, needs and knowledge gaps within communities to design correlated capacity-building initiatives. So far this has led to workshops around DYI Sprinkler Systems, fire retardant landscaping, safe chainsaw usage and one-pot-emergency-cooking… just to name a few.

Events are community-led with a “from community, for community” approach that utilises resources, skills and knowledge that already exist within in these communities.

Recently, the Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers concept was presented to Anglicare’s Disaster Recovery teams at a training in Merimbula, where it received enthusiastic support, with DR volunteers expressing an eagerness to participate in upcoming events.

For more information about the Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers program contact 02 6245 7100.