Emergency Volunteers in the Face of Change - Strategy Discussion Documents 2017 (QLD)

18/09/2017

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services Volunteerism Strategy Discussion Paper: 2017.

The State of Queensland (Queensland Fire and Emergency Services) May 2017.

Full document here:

The Discussion Paper aims to open dialogue on "… changing trends in traditional models of volunteerism, which include an ageing population, people becoming increasingly time-poor, competing priorities, digital disruptions, less attraction to long-term commitments to volunteerism and economic conditions that cause people to move away from their communities for work, means risks to providing an ongoing and sustainable emergency volunteer service are increased." (page 9)

"In 2011, the Australian Government identified a number of barriers, including “complexity in regulation and risk management requirements,”1 encompassed with misaligned policy, management, training and development opportunities were impacting dramatically on ongoing and long-term volunteerism.

Volunteers also identified as being increasingly disconnected from their initial motivations to volunteer – to help and support their community – as excessive red-tape, convoluted systems and processes impeded more on their role and time to perform it.

In addition, limitations to opportunities for development, inappropriate or poor direction, limited use of skills or opportunities to actively volunteer further impeded peoples’ willingness or motivation to continue to volunteer.

(1. Plibersek, T. in Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2011). National Volunteering Strategy. Canberra, ACT)"  (page 10)

"…points for discussion are:

  • What should a flexible volunteerism model look like?
  • What would a flexible volunteerism model mean for you?
  • What improvements can QFES make to our training to better support our people?
  • What do you believe would make volunteerism more inclusive?" (page 14)