A $30,000 funding initiative to encourage and train the next generation of volunteers has been announced.
The funding, from Arc Infrastructure, will create a Youth Leadership Program and a Youth Skills Scholarship in a statewide partnership with the WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association to help replenish volunteer numbers and keep up with demand.
WA Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services Association president Paul du Boulay said the creation of the program would have a significant affect in attracting new volunteers to the Association.
“This support will assist us in providing the future of our service with a strategic and operational voice that will benefit all members both young and old,” he said.
Arc Infrastructure customer operations general manager Neil Hamel said the valuable service that the VFRS provided to WA communities could not be overestimated.
“Fire and Rescue Services volunteers make a significant personal sacrifice and their dedication provides a critical service to our State, one that countless individuals and organisations, including our company, have benefited from,” he said.
“This partnership will allow the VFRS to continue to help and protect our regional communities and ensure the young men and women of the Association have access to industry-leading training and support.”
Youth Skills Scholarships will be announced in early 2018 and will be open to all VFRS Brigades to participate.
