Emergency Service Forum and simulated rescue mission to showcase role of young volunteers

28 August 2010 | Hon. Peter Primrose MLC, Minister for Volunteering

More than 100 young volunteers with the State's emergency services are taking part in a forum in Sydney this Saturday 28 August to develop new ways to increase volunteering rates across NSW.

Youth and Volunteering Minister Peter Primrose will officially open the NSW Government's Young People in Emergency Services Forum, being hosted at the iconic Luna Park. The forum will discuss why young people volunteer and what they gain from the experience.

And there will be some excitement too. The harbour foreshore adjacent to Luna Park will play host to a simulated explosion and Marine Rescue demonstration from 11am on Saturday.

The Minister said the demonstration will simulate a maritime explosion, rescue and salvage, with the support of various NSW Government agencies.

"At 11am, a small boat with a firework explosion will throw a volunteer police diver out of the boat and into the water. Following this, one inflatable boat will rescue the person, while a larger boat arrives to put out the fire on the first boat," he said.

"The goal of the gathering and the simulation is to showcase the good work of our young volunteers in emergency services and encourage more to get involved.

"The Keneally Government recently established the School Cadet programs through both the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

"So far around 40% of year 9 and 10 students who have participated in the program have gone on to become regular emergency services volunteers, which is a great result for our emergency services.

"What today's forum seeks to do is to give young volunteers a platform to share their ideas about volunteering and how to make sure young people feel welcome and valued in emergency service organisations.

"Attendees, aged between 16 and 25 years old, will also discuss volunteering trends, information sharing and peer networking," he said.

As well as meeting other young people, participants will meet CEOs from a range of emergency services.