Voluntary Training Day
When you think of a major incident, do you think of lots of vehicles with blue lights flashing, people in uniform bustling around, and the sound of walkie-talkies crackling with urgent messages?
Well... okay - but let's take a closer at what is actually
happening. That fire has been brought under control, but the nearby
residents are being looked after by volunteer first aiders, with
help from a volunteer faith group. The police have secured the
area, but volunteer searchers are looking for a possible victim. A
volunteer technical team is providing the radio network that links
all the responding organisations. Clothing and hot food is being
provided by other volunteers, and the seriously affected families
are being supported by... specially trained volunteers.
That's right: Major incidents need lots of skilled and trained
volunteers from many different organisations who are on call 24
hours a day. One of those volunteers might be YOU. Do you know what
services those other organisations can provide? Do they know what
you can do? What critical steps should you take to look after your
volunteers at an incident? Where can you get emergency lighting?
How do all these groups talk to one another? Who's in charge at an
incident? Whoa! Shouldn't there be some sort of training about
this?
We thought so, too - we call it: Awareness Training.
On Wednesday 18 May, we shall be running two sessions at the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Training & Conference Centre in Crawley - one between 13:00 and 16:00 and one between 18:30 and 21:30. If you are a member of a voluntary organisation that provides a 24-hour emergency response service then you should attend. There is no fee and refreshments will be provided.
Packed in to each three-hour session will be:
An introduction from the statutory emergency services, who
appreciate the voluntary sector
How to work safely and co-operatively in a multi-agency
environment
What you should prepare to be ready for any emergency
Using communications and telecommunications (and the difference
between them!)
Managing your volunteers - safety, welfare and duty of care
issues
Assisting vulnerable adults and children 'correctly'
Plus a full-blown table-top exercise to get you all thinking
Plus a debriefing from a trained counsellor
Plus an insight into the rôle of the Sussex Volunteer Sector
Resilience Group
Plus a free table-top exhibition where you can showcase your
organisation's services
The Sussex Resilience Forum will be represented, and will be demonstrating the latest version of the National Resilience Extranet (Not sure what that is? Now is your chance to ask!)
Download the booking form to reserve your place, but be quick because they're going fast.