A $30,000 funding initiative to encourage and train the next generation of volunteers has been announced.
The funding, from Arc Infrastructure, will create a Youth Leadership Program and a Youth Skills Scholarship in a State-wide partnership with the WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association to help replenish volunteer numbers and keep up with demand.
WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association president Paul du Boulay said the creation of the program would have a significant affect in attracting new volunteers to the Association.
“This support will assist us in providing the future of our service with a strategic and operational voice that will benefit all members both young and old,” he said.
Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service captain Shane Hickson said the scholarships would be provide a benefit to the community.
“The partnership between Arc Infrastructure and the VFRS Association will go a long way to encourage WA youth to become part of a dedicated group of people who put their lives on hold to help and support communities across WA,” he said.
“The Youth Skills Scholarship will provide them with the opportunity to learn skills that will be of value to themselves - the community.”
Mr Hickson said the program would allow the Collie VFRS to attract new members.
“Collie VFRS receives numerous enquiries about becoming a member throughout the year with one or two joining the team. We have had a few members that have left town for employment opportunities, [where] they transferred to other stations [and] the new members fill that void,” he said.
“We currently have 14 members on our team, with people doing fly in and out work and [with] the various work rosters it does make it difficult to get a crew at times.
“It doesn’t matter if your male, female, black or white, if you have a desire to support your community and would like to become part of a professional team I would encourage you to contact your local Volunteer Fire and Rescue.”
Arc Infrastructure customer operations general manager Neil Hamel said the valuable service that the VFRS provided to communities could not be overestimated.
“Fire and Rescue Services volunteers make a significant personal sacrifice and their dedication provides a critical service to our State, one that countless individuals and organisations, including our company, have benefited from,” he said.
Youth Skills Scholarships will be announced in early 2018 and will be open to all VFRS Brigades.
