Australians know how to step up when help is needed during an emergency. Front-line workers may be the main focus of praise but there are many more vital volunteer roles we rarely hear about. It might be your skills that are needed right now.
The vital work of volunteers is celebrated in May with National Volunteering Week and on Wear Orange Wednesday which specifically acknowledges State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers.
Even if you can't be a volunteer firefighter or train with local SES crews, your skills could be in demand by organisations assisting Australians affected by disasters.
Volunteer to prepare communities for emergencies
You don't need to wait for a disaster to help vulnerable communities. Australian Resilience Corps (ARC) was established by the Minderoo Foundation to prepare flood and bushfire-prone communities for possible emergencies.
Matthew Chesnais from the foundation’s Fire and Flood Resilience Initiative said ARC volunteers help people future-proof homes and communities in Australia's least resilient communities.
"ARC holds musters in communities where we encourage people with a willingness to come and get involved," he said.
"Recently we've been clearing invasive weeds around dunes in the Central Coast of New South Wales to prevent beach erosion from damaging surf.
"We've also held musters in the Blue Mountains, helping property owners clear vegetation to reduce bushfire fuel loads around roads and telecommunications infrastructure, ahead of what's likely to be another difficult summer for fires."
The next Muster in Gympie, Queensland will focus on building flood resilience with tree and shrub planting.
Mr Chesnais, the initiative's Resilient Communities Mission lead said anyone wanting to get involved could register online or just show up at a muster prepared to help.
Volunteer during emergencies
Australian Red Cross chief of staff Penny Harrison said her organisation was always looking for new volunteers to help during emergencies.
"With the recent flooding in the Northern Territory and in the Northern Rivers last February, Australian Red Cross volunteers were there in evacuation centres to meet and greet people arriving, to register them and to provide what's known as 'psychological first aid', listening to community members talk and making referrals to ensure people get the help and support they need," Ms Harrison said.
"We provide all the training needed and also support for our volunteers.
"When someone joins as an emergency services volunteer with Australian Red Cross, you come into an environment and become part of a team, with different layers of training depending on the role you're interested in."
Ms Harrison said there was always a need for new people because disasters were becoming more frequent.
"We want people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, younger people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to increase the pool so that when there is an event, those people are ready in the community to support others," she said.
The orange uniforms of State Emergency Service volunteers are a familiar sight during severe weather events but not all volunteers are operating rescue boats or securing tarpaulins on damaged roofs.
SES deputy controller for the Wodonga unit Lisa Wise said there were a variety of roles that utilised a broad range of skills and abilities.
She said there was a role for most people based on their interests and skills.
"There are so many important operational support roles in the SES. The volunteer who's taking out trucks to be serviced and fuelled is just as important as the volunteer who uses the truck in a rescue," Ms Wise said.
"Our operational support people assist with logistics, welfare, incident management, radio operations, intelligence and community messaging.
"There are so many roles involved with a big emergency but on a day-to-day [basis] we need also people in our units with financial skills or people who are confident public speakers."
You can apply to be an SES volunteer online. Your closest unit will then be in contact and invite you in to have a look around, meet the other members and have an interview.
"In my unit, we have people aged 16 through to 77, we're looking for anyone who can give their time but who also understands that emergencies happen whenever," Ms Wise said.
"Having said that, the operational support roles offer a bit more flexibility and can be made to fit your availability."
Ms Wise said what people put into the SES, they got back twofold.
"It's such a great organisation, it doesn't cost anything but time," she said.
Volunteer fire services also require support crews who are not out fighting fires.
Inspector Ben Shepherd from the NSW Rural Fire Service said there are volunteer roles for caterers, aviation officers and communication liaison officers.
"Not everyone wants to hold a hose and we welcome the people who want to be in a support role with open arms," he said.
"If you're interested in joining we will find something for you to do, and once you're in with the brigade there are so many courses you can do, like first aid and heavy vehicle, to support you in that role and other roles and opportunities.
"For someone who's interested in catering, you'd do a bushfire awareness course because if you're in the field delivering food you need to understand fire and fire behaviour."
People can apply online or visit their local unit to find out more.
Volunteers needed long after disasters
When fires are extinguished and floodwaters recede, the work for volunteers in affected communities is only just beginning, and it can continue for months or years.
Australian Red Cross CEO Penny Harrison said volunteers remained in communities well after the disaster.
"Volunteers were in the Northern Rivers for the 12-month anniversary, running community resilience teams, checking on people's recovery in conjunction with the local council," Ms Harrison said.
"Part of the recovery process is understanding what went well and learning from that.
"It's also continuing that personal and community support, working with local councils to upskill, and prepare people for the next time."
If you're keen to make a difference after an emergency event but aren't sure what you could do, Emergency Support Volunteering is an easy way to see the list of roles on offer.
Once registered, you can express interest in available volunteer opportunities and your details will be passed onto verified organisations who will get in contact if they need help in the aftermath of an emergency in your area.
Wear Orange Wednesday will recognise the work of SES volunteers across Australia on May 17, 2023.