Recognising Victoria's Vital, Valued Emergency Services Volunteers
The vital year round work done by Victoria's 84,000 emergency services volunteers to keep the community safe is being recognised by a three month state wide campaign.
The "Vital, Valued, Victorians" campaign highlights the skills, dedication, community-mindedness and diverse contributions of volunteers from the Country Fire Authority, Victoria State Emergency Service, Life Saving Victoria, Community Emergency Response Team and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard.
Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said emergency services volunteers are part of the social fabric of small communities across Victoria.
"Local volunteer emergency service groups are the building blocks of the State’s emergency management arrangements, working all year to enhance the safety of all Victorians."
"It is the very nature of this volunteer spirit that brings cohesion to many rural communities."
"Victoria’s volunteers treat their unpaid work the same way they do their paid work – with dedication and professionalism," said Mr Esplin.
In addition to recognising Victoria's volunteers, the campaign also aims to thanks the families and employees of volunteers, whose support is just as vital as the volunteers themselves.
All Victorians are encouraged to show their support by posting a message on the website www.volunteer.vic.gov.au or by sending an SMS with "Vols" and their message to 0488 505 050. The message then becomes part of a notice board on the volunteer.vic.gov.au homepage.
The campaign will run from mid September for three months with print, TV, radio and online advertising.
