Volunteering with an Emergency Service
You are needed on the ground, providing crucial aid to neighbours and friends in the moments they need it most.
Why Every Volunteer Counts
- Rapid Response: You are needed on the ground, providing crucial aid to neighbours and friends in the moments they need it most.
- Empower Yourself and Others: Discover your potential while helping others.
- Everyone Can Contribute: No matter your background or abilities, there’s a role out there for you.
Explore Opportunities with Emergency Organisations in NSW
What role can you play
- There are a surprising number of roles you can play within an emergency services organisation.
- Alongside their frontline volunteers, emergency services organisations rely on volunteers in a range of different roles, such as:
- Administration
- Communications and Radio Operators
- Catering
- Community Education
- Training
- Equipment Maintenance
Emergency services organisations accept volunteers like you
Registration methods vary by agency. You can find out more by heading to the pages below.
NSW State Emergency Service: Assist your community during severe storms and floods. We need a range of people including field teams, planners, logisticians, and people who can engage with their local community. More information about NSW State Emergency Service can be found here.
NSW Rural Fire Service: Join the world's largest volunteer firefighting organisation. Roles range from firefighting to educational services. More information about NSW Rural Fire Service can be found here.
Marine Rescue NSW: Help keep our waters safe. Opportunities range from radio operators and crewing vessels to vital unit support. Whether you are a weekend volunteer or have more time to give, discover how you can get involved. More information about Marine Rescue NSW can be found here.
VRA Rescue NSW: Support your local community—and others across New South Wales—by volunteering with VRA Rescue NSW. As a dedicated volunteer rescue organisation, we deliver a 24/7/365 frontline response across a broad range of capabilities, as well as supporting other emergency service operations and agencies. More information about VRA Rescue NSW can be found here.
Surf Life Saving NSW: There is a role for everyone in Surf Life Saving – whether in the water, on the sand or at the club. More information can be found about Surf Life Saving NSW and what suits your time, skills, and interests – and Join the Club!
St John Ambulance: Emergency deployment roles are available to volunteer during emergency events and situations, and flexible opportunities are available to suit volunteers that can’t meet regularly at locations. More information about St John Ambulance can be found here.
Training opportunities
NSW emergency services organisations provide a range of training opportunities to their volunteers so they can respond appropriately, effectively, and safely in times of emergency.
Find out more about what training each agency provides through the links below:
Are You Ready to Step Up?
This is your call to action.
Whether you have a few hours or can make a longer commitment, there’s a place for everyone in volunteering.
By volunteering you are looking out for your community and your mates — you get to develop new skills in a supportive environment, and you’re growing, learning, and becoming a part of something bigger.
Let’s Make NSW Safer, Together.