In Queensland, 93% of the state’s bushfire risk is supported through the volunteer arm of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) – The Rural Fire Service Queensland (RFSQ).

Volunteers that could no longer be on the end of the fire hose were leaving the organisation and with them went years of local knowledge and experience in fire behaviour. RFSQ had support roles already in place but these roles were not attracting our volunteers.  They asked for something different.  The asked us to review.

A review of volunteer requirements and preferences was undertaken, with the goal of identifying ‘what would make them stay’. The overwhelming response was that of community education.

In 2009 RFSQ commenced a nationwide review of agency responses to community education and engagement. What worked in other states and territories and why? The outcome led to the development of the volunteer Community Educator Role (VCE).

The VCE role enlists volunteers to deliver all hazards community education within their local communities, the catch cry of the program became ‘locals educating locals’. Although the service had been delivering community education for years, the structure and support provided through the VCE program delivered measurable outcomes in both volunteer recruitment and retention and community preparedness.

 Since its implementation in 2010 the VCE role has grown from the delivery of bushfire education to now include VCEs responding at the same time as appliances to provide the community messaging and incident updates on the ground.  This has increased the scope of the role and in turn increased recruitment to the role.

The formation of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services saw the merger of a number of volunteer agencies.  This merger has shown the adaptability of this program to fit within a range of organisational structures as it has now been adopted by the State Emergency Services.