In an emergency, is your community organisation ready to help?

Published on 27 March 2025

Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) is seeking expressions of interest to be part of a community project advisory committee to oversee the development of the QPRC Disaster Volunteer Management Plan and Training Manual. Council has received funding under the NSW Government’s Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers Grant Program to develop the plan. Community organisations within the local government area are also invited to register their interest in participating in the project via workshops and other communications. 

The advisory committee will include members representing a range of localities and community organisations plus representatives of the emergency services across QPRC.

The Plan will address the Addendum to the Local Emergency Management Planning Guidelines that local emergency management committees (LEMC) must engage spontaneous volunteers in local emergency management including:

• Registration
• Pre-deployment or induction training
• Spontaneous Volunteer Reception Centres
• Ongoing support
• Demobilisation.

The project must be completed by December 2025. Members of the project advisory committee must commit to attending a minimum of four 1.5-hour online meetings or as agreed. Expenses for participating in the project are not able to be reimbursed.

Council is engaging a contractor to develop the volunteer management plan and training manual, with delivery overseen by the QPRC Local Emergency Management Officer in consultation with the project advisory committee and the QPRC Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC).

The role of the advisory committee is to provide advice and assistance on:

• Community assets and capacity to assist with various tasks during a disaster
• Promoting and advocating for the success of the project, particularly the community workshops
• Training required for spontaneous volunteers
• Sustainability of maintaining arrangements over time.

Draft terms of reference for the committee are available on request by email to lorrae.stokes@qprc.nsw.gov.au.

The Plan will build on experience from previous disasters, engagement with local registered training organisations and community groups, and the disaster preparedness literature to identify how community organisations can work with Council and emergency service during a disaster to coordinate volunteer efforts.

The Plan will inform a training manual to support rapid upskilling during a disaster. Several workshops will be run to raise awareness across the LGA. These workshops will socialise and test the plan and training manual with representatives of key community organisations. The final document will become part of QPRC’s Local Emergency Management Plan and be reviewed annually.

To express your interest for the community project advisory committee please complete the form below. Expressions of interest close 5pm 10 April 2025.

If your community organisation would like to be involved in the project via workshops and other communication, please email lorrae.stokes@qprc.nsw.gov.au.

The selection criteria are:

Essential:

1. Current active membership at committee level of at least one community organisation operating within QPRC council boundary (please specify your role).
2. Demonstrated knowledge of logistical coordination and/or project management and/or grant administration (please provide examples of projects/events).
3. Interest and commitment to building community capacity to respond and prepare for natural disasters (please provide details/reasons).

Desirable

1. Multiple memberships/knowledge of QPRC located community organisations and networks.
2. Understanding of NSW disaster emergency arrangements.
3. Experience or knowledge/expertise in some aspect of natural disasters including institutional response, volunteer experience, subject matter or technical expertise, advocacy, community/victim representation, welfare, governance and/or decision making.

For more information, please contact Lorrae Stokes on 0428243630 or via email on lorrae.stokes@qprc.nsw.gov.au.