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Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering

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SA SES volunteers clearing up after a storm. Photo SA State Emergency Service
SA SES volunteers clearing up after a storm. Photo SA State Emergency Service
This project had two parts: Emergency volunteering 2030, led by Dr Blythe McLennan, and Changing management practice, led by Dr Patrick Dunlop.The goal of this researcg was to improve the long-term sustainability of the volunteer workforce, and better engage the potential of volunteering to build disaster resilience in Australian communities.

Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: project overview

Key Topics

Key Topics:

Project Status

Project Status: 
Utilisation

Research leader

Dr Blythe McLennan
RMIT University
A/Prof Patrick Dunlop
Curtin University

Driving Change Themes

Future Workforce

Research leader

Blythe McLennan
Dr Blythe McLennan Research Leader
A/Prof Patrick Dunlop Research Leader

Research team

Dr Darja Kragt Research Team
Dr Alex Luksyte Research Team
Dr Djurre Holtrop Research Team
Prof Marylène Gagné Research Team
Dr Tarn Kruger
Dr Tarn Kruger Research Team
Prof John Handmer
Prof John Handmer Research Team
Hawa Muhammad Farid Research Team

End User representatives

Ali Martin End-User
Peter Jeffrey End-User
Georgina Goodrich
Georgina Goodrich End-User
Annabelle Kirwan End-User
Kristine Wendtman End-User
Paul Davis End-User
Andrew McCullough End-User
Deb Parkin End-User
Jennifer Pidgeon End-User
Troy Davies End-User
Lisa Grieg End-User
Diana Bernardi End-User
Kendra Clegg End-User

The Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering project had two broad aims, each of which was addressed by a targeted package of work:

  • Work package 1, Emergency volunteering 2030 - Adapting the sector, was based at RMIT University. It aimed to support the emergency management sector to adapt to the transformation of volunteering and put itself in the best position possible to enable and enhance the value of volunteering to communities – before, during, and after emergencies - into the future.
  • Work package 2, Changing management practices, was based at the University of Western Australia and Curtin University. It aimed to support EMOs to improve volunteer retention through effective on-boarding, and potentially through adapting volunteer roles and pathways, and to measure progress towards building a culture of inclusion amongst their volunteer base that supports effective on-boarding.

Read the final report here.

Download:
File Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: project overview
25 May 2021
New online - May 2021
communication, multi-hazard
The April 2021 issue of the Australian Journal of Emergency Management features Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC research that supports recruitment and retention of emergency service volunteers. Photo: DFES.
17 May 2021
Volunteer management research features in latest AJEM issue
capability, non-traditional recruitment
Steve Sutton (Charles Darwin University) with ARPNet researchers and community members in northern Australia. Photo: Nathan Maddock, CRC.
14 May 2021
Making better use of research
capability, emergency management
Firefighter and flames. Photo: DFES
20 Apr 2021
Will this picture help recruit new volunteers?
communication, recruitment
28 Jan 2021
New online - January 2021
communication, emergency management
Day 1 of the Northern Australia Research Engagement Forum at Charles Darwin University. Photo: Melina Pearse, NAILSMA
17 Nov 2020
Building capacity in northern Australian communities
indigenous communities, local knowledge
CRC Research Director John Bates presenting at the Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference 2019
20 Oct 2020
Are we ready now? Will we be ready then?
communication, communities
Prof Lisa Gibbs presenting at AFAC19.
19 Oct 2020
Emergency management in the community
communication, communities
Volunteer recruitment and retention roadmap. Source: Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
14 Oct 2020
Collaboration leads to new toolkit for emergency volunteer leaders
communication, organisational
Dr Steve Curnin and A/Prof Ben Brooks present their research at the AFAC19 conference.
30 Jun 2020
Science galore – key CRC event dates
emergency management, prescribed burning
Dr Paula Dootson presenting her research.
10 Jun 2020
Excellence in CRC research nationally recognised
communication, volunteering
Residents, community members and emergency services sand bagging at Collaroy 2016. Photo: NSW RFS
13 Mar 2020
Research update for Volunteering Victoria
communities, recruitment
Volunteer firefighters battle a blaze. Photo: Ben Shepard NSW RFS
18 Dec 2019
As bushfires intensify, we need to acknowledge the strain on our volunteers
fire, fire impacts
A hand holds open research proceedings from AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ, which were published in two Australian Journal of Emergency Management Monographs.
11 Dec 2019
Special edition Monographs share AFAC19 science
emergency management, land management
The latest CRC research is available online now.
09 Oct 2019
New online - October 2019
emergency management, engineering
Dr Richard Thornton speaking at the 2019 Western Australian Fire and Emergency Services conference. Photo: Kelsey Tarabini.
10 Sep 2019
Future of EM highlighted for WA volunteers
emergency management, mitigation
Dr Adam Leavesley accepting the award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Utilisation at AFAC19
28 Aug 2019
Outstanding achievements awarded at AFAC19
fire impacts, remote sensing
22 Aug 2019
New online - August 2019
decision making, emergency management
Dr Blythe McLennan presenting at the Research Advisory Forum in Melbourne
25 Jul 2019
Project update July 2019 – Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering
emergency management, volunteering
27 Jun 2019
New online - June 2019
communities, emergency management
CRC Chair Dr Katherine Woodthorpe at the NSW RFS Leadership and Young Members Forum 2019
27 Jun 2019
Leadership forum in NSW
Dr Blythe McLennan speaking at the workforce and volunteerism 2030 RAF, Melbourne
17 May 2019
Are we dropping the ball? A look to our workforce in 2030
capability, emergency management
Post fire field work
19 Mar 2019
New online - March 2019
emergency management, fire
NSW CWA office bearers 2017-18. Photos: NSW CWA
18 Mar 2019
Looking to the future with the NSW Country Women's Association
capability, communities
21 Jan 2019
Quiet achievers recognised for research impacts
child-centred, education
18 Dec 2018
New online - December 2018
emergency management, modelling
Research inisghts from the CRC are providing viable outputs for our partners. Photo: Sascha Grant (CC_BY-NC-ND 2.0)
07 Dec 2018
Preparing for the future focus of magazine
cyclone, emergency management
Emergency service agencies are changing their volunteering models thanks to research. Photo: Ben Shepherd, NSW Rural Fire Service
06 Dec 2018
Research benefits flowing
decision making, fire
15 Nov 2018
New online – November 2018
earthquake, modelling
BlazeAid volunteers putting in fences after Black Saturday. Photo: BlazeAid
12 Nov 2018
Voice of volunteer leaders wanted for survey
non-traditional recruitment, recruitment
Harald Richter presents his research on Research Forum day.
18 Sep 2018
Conference papers available online
emergency management, multi-hazard
04 May 2018
Lessons learnt post-disaster
emergency management, mitigation
SA SES volunteers clearing up after a storm. Photo SA State Emergency Service
16 Oct 2017
What will emergency volunteering look like in 2030?
communities, recruitment
For the first time, emergency services and police across Australia will be surveyed about their mental health and wellbeing
31 Aug 2017
New natural hazards science for Australia
mental health, resilience
22 Mar 2017
New science set to dazzle
Year Type Citation
2024 Journal Article Holtrop, D. et al. Exploring Volunteer Turnover Reasons, Intentions, and Behaviour. Group & Organization Management (2024). doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/10596011241237841
2022 Journal Article Dunlop, P. et al. Setting expectations during volunteer recruitment and the first day experience: a preregistered experimental test of the met expectations hypothesis. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology (2022). doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2022.2070478
2022 Report McLennan, B., Chong, J. & Dunlop, P. Emergency Services Workforce 2030. 66 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2022 Report McLennan, B. Emergency volunteering 2030: Views from emergency response volunteer representatives. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2022 Report Dunlop, P., Farid, H., Gagné, M. & Kragt, D. Supporting new volunteers: a resource kit for emergency service volunteer leaders. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2022 Report Chong, J., McLennan, B. & Dunlop, P. Emergency Services Workforce 2030: Changing work literature review. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2022 Report McLennan, B., Chong, J. & Dunlop, P. Emergency Services Workforce 2030: Changing landscape literature review. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2022).
2021 Report Farid, H. et al. State Emergency Service (SES): Volunteer views on experiences, wellbeing, and motivations – Findings from the Cultural Assessment Tool (CAT) Survey 2019-20. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2021).
2021 Report McLennan, B. et al. Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering - annual report 2019-2020. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2021).
2021 Report McLennan, B. et al. Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering – final project report. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2021).
2020 Report McLennan, B. et al. Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: annual report 2018-19. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2020).
2019 Conference Paper Gagné, M. et al. Emergency volunteer retention: can a culture of inclusiveness help?. AFAC19 powered by INTERSCHUTZ - Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Forum (Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, 2019). at <https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/>
2019 Conference Paper McLennan, B. What's wrong and what needs fixing? Stakeholder perspectives on making the future of emergency volunteering. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC Research Day AFAC19 (2019). at <https://knowledge.aidr.org.au/resources/australian-journal-of-emergency-management-monograph-series/>
2019 Journal Article Kragt, D. & Holtrop, D. Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review. Australian Journal of Psychology (2019). doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12251
2019 Report Farid, H. et al. State Emergency Service volunteer views on expectations, experiences and motivations. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2019).
2019 Report Kruger, T. & McLennan, B. Emergency volunteering 2030: Views from the community sector. Environmental scan report no.3 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2019).
2019 Report McLennan, B. Emergency volunteering shared learning network. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2019).
2019 Report McLennan, B. & Kruger, T. Emergency Volunteering 2030: Views from Managers in Volunteerism. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2019).
2018 Conference Paper Kruger, T. & McLennan, B. Volunteering into the future – disaster events, local governments & communities. AFAC18 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2018 Conference Paper Kruger, T. & McLennan, B. Emergency volunteering 2030: a sector-wide, management perspective. AFAC18 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2018 Conference Paper Bates, J. Research proceedings from the 2018 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2017 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2018 Journal Article Conditions for effective coproduction in community-led disaster risk management. Voluntas 28, 16 (2018).
2018 Journal Article Kragt, D., Dunlop, P., Gagné, M. & Luksyte, A. When joining is not enough: emergency services volunteers and the intention to remain. Australian Journal of Emergency Management 33, (2018).
2018 Report McLennan, B. et al. Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: annual project report 2017-18. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2018 Report Kruger, T. & McLennan, B. Emergency volunteering 2030: views from local government managers. (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2018).
2017 Conference Paper Rumsewicz, M. Research proceedings from the 2017 Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and AFAC Conference. Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC & AFAC annual conference 2017 (Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, 2017).
Date Title Download Key Topics
07 Jul 2017 Lightning presentation: enabling sustainable emergency volunteering - why and for what outcomes? PDF icon 748.26 KB (748.26 KB) emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
31 Aug 2017 Fire Australia Issue Three 2017 PDF icon 5.22 MB (5.22 MB) child-centred, prescribed burning, severe weather
12 Oct 2017 Adapting the sector: enabling sustainable emergency volunteering project (stage 1) PDF icon 1.28 MB (1.28 MB) emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
16 Oct 2017 Enabling sustainable volunteering - adapting the sector - project update October 2017 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
16 Oct 2017 Enabling sustainable volunteering - changing management practice - project update October 2017 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
16 Nov 2017 Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: project overview File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
11 Jan 2018 Enabling sustainable volunteering - adapting the sector - project update January 2018 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
11 Jan 2018 Enabling sustainable volunteering - changing management practice - project update January 2018 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
03 Apr 2018 Enabling sustainable volunteering - adapting the sector - project update April 2018 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, recruitment, volunteering
17 Apr 2018 Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: Changing management practice PDF icon 1.68 MB (1.68 MB) emergency management, response, volunteering
17 Apr 2018 Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering: Adapting the Sector PDF icon 3.12 MB (3.12 MB) emergency management, multi-hazard, volunteering
19 Sep 2018 Lived experiences of emergency services volunteers in Western Australia PDF icon 2.06 MB (2.06 MB) emergency management, volunteering
19 Sep 2018 Volunteering into the future: disaster events, local governments and communities PDF icon 4.97 MB (4.97 MB) communities, emergency management, volunteering
19 Sep 2018 Emergency volunteering 2030: A sector-wide, management perspective PDF icon 1.74 MB (1.74 MB) emergency management, multi-hazard, volunteering
27 Feb 2019 Webinar - Emergency volunteering 2030 by Dr Blythe McLennan File 0 bytes (0 bytes) emergency management, volunteering
29 Apr 2019 Effective on-boarding for volunteers - webinar File 0 bytes (0 bytes) decision making, emergency management, volunteering
08 May 2019 Enabling sustainable emergency volunteering Changing management practices RAF May 19 PDF icon 767.69 KB (767.69 KB) emergency management, volunteering
24 May 2019 EVN webinar three - mobilising spontaneous volunteers: recent experiences File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communication, emergency management, volunteering
20 Jun 2019 EVN webinar four - planning for spontaneous volunteers with Volunteering Qld - 22 May 2019 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communities, emergency management, land management
19 Aug 2019 EVN webinar five - helping the helpers: community sector volunteering for emergency management and community resilience File 0 bytes (0 bytes) emergency management, volunteering
27 Aug 2019 Where should we be going, and are we on our way yet? Stakeholder perspectives on making the future of emergency volunteering PDF icon 1.59 MB (1.59 MB) volunteering
26 Sep 2019 Understanding models for spontaneous volunteering PDF icon 2.25 MB (2.25 MB) non-traditional recruitment, resilience, volunteering
15 Oct 2019 Motivations, experiences and emotions: being an SES volunteer PDF icon 1.27 MB (1.27 MB) capability, communities, volunteering
10 Jun 2020 Highly commended research at EMPA conference 2020 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communication, planning, volunteering
31 Jul 2020 Autonomy, belongingness and competence: the ABCs of emergency volunteer retention PDF icon 1.39 MB (1.39 MB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - changing management practices - project update July 2020 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - Workforce 2030 update File 0 bytes (0 bytes) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - recruitment studies File 0 bytes (0 bytes) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Cultural Assessment Tool 2019/20 survey findings PDF icon 333.77 KB (333.77 KB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - adapting the sector - project update July 2020 File 0 bytes (0 bytes) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - adapting the sector - project update July 2020 presentation slides PDF icon 2.39 MB (2.39 MB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
13 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - changing management practices - project update July 2020 presentation slides PDF icon 902.52 KB (902.52 KB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
25 Aug 2020 Enabling sustainable volunteering - leading volunteers young and old: research study File 0 bytes (0 bytes) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
09 Oct 2020 Hawa Muhammad Farid presentation – Recruitment and retention toolkit for emergency volunteer leaders PDF icon 1.14 MB (1.14 MB)
09 Oct 2020 A/Prof Pat Dunlop presentation – Recruitment and retention toolkit for emergency volunteer leaders PDF icon 2.22 MB (2.22 MB)
13 Oct 2020 Online showcase: recruitment and retention toolkit for emergency volunteer leaders File 0 bytes (0 bytes) communication, emergency management, volunteering
18 Nov 2020 Workforce 2030 | Northern Australia Research Engagement Forum (7/9) File 0 bytes (0 bytes) indigenous communities, local knowledge, Northern Australia
17 May 2021 Fire Australia Issue Two 2021 PDF icon 11.74 MB (11.74 MB) capability, emergency management, Northern Australia
06 Aug 2021 Enabling emergency volunteer sustainability: resources for recruitment and retention PDF icon 479.36 KB (479.36 KB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
20 Aug 2021 Instructions on how to use the Recruitment Messaging Toolkit PDF icon 4.2 MB (4.2 MB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
20 Aug 2021 Recruitment Messaging Toolkit Office spreadsheet icon 3.79 MB (3.79 MB) non-traditional recruitment, recruitment, volunteering
11 Nov 2021 Module 3: Leading capability, emergency management, volunteering
11 Nov 2021 Supporting Your Volunteers: A Resource Kit for Emergency Service Volunteer Leaders emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
11 Nov 2021 Module 1: Recruiting emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
11 Nov 2021 Module 2: Onboarding capability, emergency management, volunteering
14 Jul 2022 Module 1 - Recruiting (reduced file size) emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
14 Jul 2022 Module 2 - Onboarding (reduced file size) emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
14 Jul 2022 Module 3 - Leading (reduced file size) emergency management, recruitment, volunteering
Volunteer sustainability is about much more than recruitment and retention
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Volunteer sustainability is about much more than recruitment and retention
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When joining is not enough: Profiles of emergency services volunteers and the intention to remain
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When joining is not enough: Profiles of emergency services volunteers and the intention to remain
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In this study, we examined how meeting the initial expectations of new volunteers when they join an emergency...
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Emergency Volunteer Retention: Can a Culture of Inclusiveness Help?
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we examined the effects of a climate of inclusiveness on volunteer retention. A survey of 512 emergency...
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