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Disaster recovery

Disaster Recovery Photo Shoot at Cherrybrook Community Centre

Devastating bushfires, floods, and cyclones are a recurring part of life in Australia. When disasters like this strike, it’s natural to find yourself wanting to do something practical to help affected families… and now you can!

We’re always looking for compassionate, community-minded people who want to serve others in times of disaster. As a registered Disaster Recovery Volunteer, you’ll provide personal support and distribute basic emergency essentials to disaster affected people. Under the guidance of your Team Leader, and in collaboration with other disaster response agencies, you’ll help keep your local Evacuation and/or Recovery Centre running smoothly.

You won’t have to volunteer on a regular basis. Instead, you’ll keep your training up to date with short courses each year along with opportunities for practical drills, seminars and other training… so you can stay ready to jump into action when you’re needed most.

You may also wish to consider how training in disaster resilience and recovery could benefit your church, school, community or other volunteer organisation – so drop us a line if you think we can help.

Disaster Recovery Evacuation Centre Simulation Photo Shoot at Cherrybrook Community Centre

About your training

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Pre-training online modules
(1 hour)
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Official training course
(2 hours)
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Face-to-face or online courses available

Start your journey at any time!

There’s no need to have your volunteer application approved in order to start your training… you can begin at any time! 

Either a one hour Introductory Session or two hour New Recruit Training Session is offered once a month, online. You may begin with either, though the Introductory session is perfect if you have any questions or want to know more.

If your church would like to partner with Anglicare in Disaster Recovery, face-to-face training can also be arranged for larger groups. What a wonderful way to equip your church family to serve with love in their community!

Express your interest or register for the next round of online training today.

Your next steps

1
Complete your training

You start your obligation-free training at any time. There are online course options offered every month.

2
Submit your application

This includes a mandatory NSW Police Check and a Working With Children Check at no cost to you.

3
Join the team!

Once your application is approved, you’ll be linked with a local team that meets 2 – 3 times a year. Anglicare will provide you with a uniform, ID badge and Volunteer manual and ongoing opportunities for training and development.

Once you are a fully-fledged Disaster Recovery Volunteer, the only requirement to stay registered is that you complete one, 2-3 hour training session and read through your training manual as arefresher, every 12 months. The only other time commitment is the occasional meet up with your local team to help keep you connected. Regularly connecting with your team is a critical component to being effective and prepared as a team.

There are no weekly responsibilities, nor will you be expected to respond to every disaster in your area. You are free to say ‘no’ as we recognise that at short notice not all of our volunteers can be available! But that’s also exactly why we can never have enough registered Disaster Recovery Volunteers. So please… put your compassion into action and register your interest today.

Disaster Recovery Evacuation Centre Simulation Photo Shoot at Cherrybrook Community Centre
It's our chance to share the love of Jesus and truly help ordinary people in extraordinary situations.
Heather
Disaster Recovery Evacuation Centre Simulation Photo Shoot at Cherrybrook Community Centre
Our Church involvement with Anglicare's Disaster Recovery team over this bushfire season has given us incredible opportunity to connect with our community.
Ross
Disaster Recovery Photo Shoot at Cherrybrook Community Centre
I have been touched by the many lives I've encountered. I trust that I was able to comfort and help each one of them, even if only just a little.
Pam

Stories from our Volunteers

Please note that this expression of interest is for future emergencies, not the current crises, as you will need to undergo training before entering the field.

Anglicare is one of four recognised Community Partners of Disaster Welfare Services of the Department of Communities and Justice under NSW Emergency Management Arrangements. Anglicare only activates its volunteers to Evacuation and Recovery Centres when it receives orders from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services to ensure that disaster recovery activities are coordinated and officially recognised.

Enquire today

Anglicare acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original and ongoing custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work.

Inspired by the gospel of reconciliation in Jesus Christ, Anglicare's vision for reconciliation is a nation in which Australia's First Peoples are restored in dignity, respect, empowerment and opportunity..