The Echuca region is screaming out for Red Cross emergency service volunteers.
Central Loddon Mallee Division divisional operations officer Greg Ralton is one of nearly 800 Red Cross emergency service volunteers from Victoria.
Mr Ralton said there was currently only a small presence in Echuca.
“Following the 2011 floods, the number of RCESVs in Echuca has gradually declined, but we would really love to see more people getting involved,” he said.
Emergency service volunteers help communities before, during and after a crisis by providing advice on what to do in the event of an emergency, by providing food, water, psychological first aid and company to those temporarily based at evacuation centres and by assisting with moving people back into their homes.
Mr Ralton said helping communities through their time of need was rewarding and could have a direct positive impact on those going through a stressful time.
“People who are directly impacted by these emergency situations can become quite distressed, but we are often able to help them out by providing a listening ear or valuable advice,” he said.
Mr Ralton said his team provided assistance during the 2011 Echuca floods, during the 2019-2020 bushfires, following a major storm event in the Dandenong Ranges and most recently were involved in making non-perishable food packages for people in mandatory isolation.
“We also get involved in singular incidents that are not mass emergencies; for example, we often get a call out when a person loses their home due to a flood or fire,” he said.
“There have been times where we have volunteered to go interstate as well.”
Mr Ralton said a Red Cross emergency service volunteers team was usually activated when a council, in consultation with the police, made the decision to set up an evacuation centre.
He said they were currently keeping up to date with all of the flood warnings in the area.
“We haven’t been activated for that yet but we are certainly aware of everything that’s going on and we are watching very carefully,” Mr Ralton said.
Red Cross emergency service volunteers commit to meeting up on a bi-monthly basis.
Once in the team, there are opportunities for volunteers to progress into leadership roles through the undertaking of courses and programs.
For more information, email vicsesworkforce@redcross.org.au with your contact details or view roles at www.redcross.org.au/volunteer