By LIA SPENCER
YOUNG people from Warwick and surrounds get to test their skills in mock situations at this weekend’s Youth Disaster Games.
The Youth Disaster Games and Volunteers Training event will run over two days at the Warwick Showgrounds as part of National Youth Week, with the theme “It Starts with Us.”
QFES crews and brigades will join other emergency services to equip local youth with emergency response skills and knowledge. About 30 youth, aged up to 25, have signed up for the event and will be able to participate in mock disaster scenarios and take on the roles of emergency service response, under the guidance of professionals.
The first day is theory based, where the participants will be involved in a workshop, learning about planned and spontaneous volunteering, household preparation for disasters and how the community works and responds to disasters.
The second day is Disaster Games day, an outside action event which will include skills and training from SES and RFSQ volunteers and a modified winching activity by auxiliary and full-time firefighters.
Disaster Management co-ordinator Mark Saunders said this was the first time the event would be held, but he hoped it turned into an annual or biennial event.
“We are hoping that everyone has a bit of fun and gets a feel for what Emergency Services do and, in the longer term, we might be able to plant the seed that these are things they can do in the future,” Mr Saunders said.
“They can be either a paid professional or a volunteer. They might sign up for the SES or fire brigades or the ambulance,” Mr Saunders said.
For more information on QFES involvement, contact Dennis Burton at the Warwick Fire Station on 4667 5167 and for more information on the entire event, contact Disaster Management co-ordinator Mark Saunders on 0459 033 525.
