Local volunteers are invited to take part in free disaster response training and upskilling through Wagga Wagga City Council's Resilient Response Project.
The project, which is to be rolled out in the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area, is providing flood response equipment and volunteer training for local organisations to ensure our community is better prepared and skilled to respond to disaster events.
This includes the purchase of plant and resources to support flood response and recovery in North Wagga, Oura and Uranquinty alongside a six-month free community training program to upskill volunteers.
Community Development Coordinator Alex Osgood stated that this initiative will assist local communities to respond to natural disasters.
"During times of crisis, we know that everyone is keen to lend a helping hand but often lack the skills or confidence to step up, which creates a barrier to volunteering but also can make a situation more unsafe," Alex Osgood said.
"Local volunteers, regardless of their experience, can take advantage of free training through the Resilient Response Project, such as Mental Health First Aid, Provide First Aid and CPR training
"Volunteer coordinators and service managers also have access to workshops based on Lateral Violence and Asset-Based Community Development."
To make the Resilient Response Project possible, Council was successful in obtaining $96,160.00 through the NSW Government's Supporting Spontaneous Volunteers Program which is part of a recommendation from the 2022 NSW Flood Inquiry to support better coordination of community efforts to save life and property during a disaster.
"The grant has also supported the purchase of a range of equipment including high-pressure hoses, trash pumps and a generator for areas prone to flooding," Alex Osgood said.
"Local community action groups and the State Emergency Service (SES) have been instrumental in ensuring we are delivering the training and resources required to make a positive impact."
"It's one of the wonderful things about rural and regional communities is that we band together and get the job done. This program will strengthen community responses and help us to take better care of ourselves before, during and after a crisis."
The training will take place from August to November 2025, and all training is free for volunteers, with local employers able to send their staff for a nominal fee.
Book your spot at the training via our Community Training webpage.
