29 July 2008
RUDD GOVERNMENT PROVIDES FUNDING BOOST FOR EMERGENCY VOLUNTEERS
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced over $3 million in funding grants to boost the recruitment, retention and training of volunteer organisations at the front line of emergency management.
The money provides funding for 183 projects across Australia through the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund.
“Supporting Australia’s volunteers in this way is vitally important. It will help them better protect their local communities and, if disaster does strike, ensure they recover as quickly as possible,” Mr McClelland said.
“Australia has a proud history of volunteering, particularly in the emergency services sector. Some 500,000 people in Australia volunteer their time in some emergency management capacity, with 350,000 of those in the front line during times of natural disaster – principally through the various rural fire services and State Emergency Services.”
“In a country like Australia that experiences floods and fires on an annual basis, volunteers are worth their weight in gold. It’s essential that Governments assist their great work as much as they can.”
The projects funded under the program range from the purchase of audio-visual training equipment and enhancing the quality of training provided to volunteers, to recruitment campaigns, targeted volunteer training activities, and the construction and fit-out of dedicated training facilities.
Details of projects funded by the National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund can be found on the Emergency Management Australia website: www.ema.gov.au/communityengagement
Media Contact:
Glen Paul (Mr McClelland’s Office) 0417 066 497
Alastair Wilson (EMA Media Liaison) 0408 606 462