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The Northern Territory Emergency Service is a volunteer-based organisation. It currently has around 30 Volunteer Units and 300 volunteers who perform a wide range of roles which include responding to floods, severe storms, earthquakes, road accidents and search and rescue.
We are always looking for new, enthusiastic members of the community to join our hardworking, loyal team of volunteers...so if you think YOU have what it takes to STAND OUT contact NTES on 08 8922 3630 or click HERE to email us.
Click on the links below to find out more:
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ROLE OF A VOLUNTEER
The NTES volunteers respond to many types of emergencies including search and rescue, road accident rescue, storms, floods and general rescue.
In many events the nearest NTES volunteer unit will respond and call for back up from other units if required. If the response requires multiple units to attend, then regional staff will coordinate the units and obtain additional resources as necessary.
If a Territory-wide response is required, Territory staff will coordinate the operations of the regions.
WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER UNIT?
Volunteer Units are made up of those volunteers from the community who, without payment are prepared to offer their assistance to the Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) when needed. NTES volunteers also provide welfare support to Police and Fire and Rescue operations when required.
WHY ARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED?
The number of full-time emergency response personnel available to deal with day-to-day emergency situations is limited across all towns and communities. NTES volunteers supplement Police, Fire and other emergency response professionals by providing vital frontline capabilities and support. In some smaller population centres, NTES volunteers provide the majority of the response capability. They often have training and equipment that is not available in other organisations, and are therefore an essential part of the Territory’s emergency response capability.
WHAT COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED?
Members of volunteer units must attend regular training aimed at preparing them for their identified roles and operational responsibilities. Training provided to volunteers is based on nationally recognised competencies. Volunteers who attend courses undergo theory and workplace based assessments to gain statements of attainment which may be transferred between organisations, States or Territories. Training is skills-based, so qualifications may be gained on the job. All training costs are met by the Northern Territory Emergency Service.
Members will also require the support of their employers and family to enable them to be able to respond to operational call outs with a minimum of disruption and disadvantage.
HOW ARE VOLUNTEER UNITS FUNDED?
Funding for the operation of volunteer units is provided by the Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Emergency Service budget. Voluntary members are not required to carry out fund-raising, however some units do raise funds for their own associations for the purchase of specialised equipment.
WHAT SORT OF TASKS DO VOLUNTEERS PERFORM?
Depending on the role identified for the unit counter disaster plans, unit members may perform any of the following functions:
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Land Search and Rescue
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Cyclone Survey and Recovery
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Road Accident Rescue
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Air Observer
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Flood Boat Operations
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Operations Centre Staffing
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Communications
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Storm Damage Operations
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Urban Search and Rescue
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Vertical Rescue
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Marine Search and Rescue
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Logistic Support Operations
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Welfare Coordination
WHO CAN JOIN A VOLUNTEER UNIT?
Any person who is reasonably fit and healthy is eligible to join a Northern Territory Emergency Service volunteer unit.
You should contact the nearest Unit Officer who will advise you how to join. Click HERE for the Volunteer Unit Location Map and details, or you can contact the Northern or Southern Headquarters on the details below. You will need to complete a registration form and also supply passport photos of yourself for your identification card and undertake a criminal history and information holdings check. You will then formally be appointed by the Director NTES, and receive an Instrument of Appointment as a voluntary member of the Northern Territory Emergency Service.
WHAT RECOGNITION DO VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE?
Voluntary members who serve diligently for a period of time can be eligible for:
5 Year Medal awarded by the Commissioner of Police
10 Year Certificate awarded by the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
National Medal
Emergency Service Medal
If you would like further information on the Northern Territory Emergency Service, please contact the following:
NTES DARWIN - Territory Headquarters
Peter McAulay Centre
PO Box 39764
Winnellie 0821
Tel: 08 8922 3630
Fax: 08 8941 2162
Click HERE to go to the NTES Northern Region page
NTES ALICE SPRINGS - Southern Region Headquarters
PO Box 2630
Alice Springs 0871
Tel: 08 8951 9300
Fax: 08 8953 2544
Click HERE to go to the NTES Southern Region page
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