2015-06-23 I&S Agenda - Item 5 - Local Disaster Recovery Plan - Attachment 2

                           Noosa Local Disaster Recovery Plan 2015/2016

Terms of reference for a Volunteer Coordinator are provided at Attachment 1 to this
Appendix.

27.18.5 Working with volunteer organisations
The LDRC or the Volunteer Coordinator on behalf of the LDRC should work closely with
Volunteering Queensland and other volunteering bodies to develop relevant and achievable
recovery programs and activities. These bodies are critical to effective volunteer
management in Noosa Shire as they offer the mechanisms and protection needed to
effectively use volunteers in response and recovery.

Volunteering Queensland is the primary body charged with volunteer registration and referral
in Queensland and offers this service via their Community Response to Extreme Weather
(CREW) program. They:
   are a member of the Queensland State Human/Social Recovery Committee
   work closely with all lead agencies involved in disaster management
   assist in emergency volunteer registration and matching of volunteers to identified
    volunteer programs
   combine volunteer management techniques and experience with a direct understanding
    of disaster recovery volunteer needs
Volunteering Queensland offers the following services:
   front line buffer for community emergency volunteer response
   assist in effectively incorporating volunteers into the Noosa volunteer strategy
   register volunteers by smart phone, online or by phone
   collect specific, relevant information on emergency volunteers i.e. location, availability,
    skill and equipment offered
   provide comprehensive list of volunteers directly suited to the needs defined by the
    LDRC
   promotion of volunteer opportunities for local recovery volunteer programs and activities
   manage expectations of volunteer response including communication with their
    registered volunteer base
   assist in keeping volunteers informed and engaged
   provide advice to the Volunteer Coordinator and LDRC on volunteer management
   provide information and feedback on numbers and types of volunteers registered in the
    Noosa local government area
While Volunteering Queensland offers many services to identify engage with and provide
volunteers to assist in recovery, they do not provide volunteer management services on the
ground. For this, local nonprofit organisations that have the appropriate insurance, policies
and procedures for the effective management of volunteers are needed.

Volunteers identified and provided through Volunteering Queensland’s CREW service will
need to be affiliated (placed under the control of) such nonprofit organisations before they
commence any volunteer activities.

Under the Queensland State Government’s Civil Liability Act 2003, which has a volunteer
protection clause included, volunteers working in registered nonprofit organisations engaged
in voluntary activities defined by the organisation are protected from legal action provided
they are not acting outside the law. Details of this legislation can be found at:
http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/CivilLiabA03.pdf

27.18.6 Volunteer insurance and workplace health and safety
Organisations that host volunteers are required to have appropriate volunteer insurance and
are required to adhere to the Queensland Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011. Both
volunteers and organisations that use the services of volunteers have obligations under this
Act. An information sheet from Volunteering Queensland on volunteer insurance
requirements is at Attachment 2 to this appendix.

                                                                                           124