ACT State Emergency Service | ACT Emergency Services Agency
Source: https://esa.act.gov.au/join-us/volunteering/act-state-emergency-service
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:19
ACT State Emergency Service | ACT Emergency Services Agency
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ACT State Emergency Service
Volunteering is open to everyone with opportunities to suit individual needs and capabilities
ACT State Emergency Service
About Us
The ACTSES is proud to have over 360 dedicated volunteers from diverse backgrounds and professions – volunteering across 7 units around the ACT.
Volunteering with ACTSES is open to anyone passionate about making a difference in their community. Whether you're interested in hands-on operational roles or prefer supporting behind the scenes, there's a place for you. Our flexible approach ensures that everyone can find a role that suits their interests and skills.
Field Operations Members – engage in storm and water damage response, radio communications, operations centre support, search and navigation, scene lighting, first aid, and community engagement.
Operational Support Members – provide essential support roles including first aid , general welfare to volunteers, community engagement , incident management support, communications support and administrative tasks.
Click here to learn more about the ACTSES
.
2027 Recruitment
Please register your interest in our next recruitment by entering your details here -
ACTSES - Register to Volunteer
Click this link to read Terry’s story
.
Volunteering with the ACTSES
Being a member of the ACTSES is a significant and rewarding commitment.
As a volunteer with the ACTSES, you can expect to:
Assist all members of our community, embracing diversity and inclusion.
Be ready to help at any time, day or night.
Embrace the elements – you might get dirty, tired, wet, hot, or cold, sometimes all at once!
Work as part of a dedicated team, relying on each other’s strengths.
Engage in critical thinking and problem-solving to tackle diverse challenges.
Service values
The ACTSES is part of the ACT Public Service, and as such its volunteers demonstrate the values of:
Respect
Integrity
Collaboration
Innovation
Initial Commitments
The initial training undertaken by ACTSES volunteers is a significant commitment which involves a combination of face to face and online training, a fitness test, and visits with the Units.’
Ongoing Commitments
It is acknowledged and understood that volunteers’ main priorities are family and work. On average, an ACTSES volunteer spends five hours a week ‘in orange’. Below is an indication of minimum attendance requirements:
Category
Indicative Minimum Attendance Requirements
Operational Member
An operational member must attend a minimum of six training/community education/operational activities per six-month period.
Unit Support Officer
No minimum attendance requirements.
Junior Member
A junior member must attend a minimum of six training/community education/operational activities per six-month period.
All ACTSES members attend training on a weekly basis. In addition to these scheduled training commitments, volunteers are required to maintain the currency of their skills by attending community events and operations related to their position within the Service.
Both Field Operations and Operations Support members respond to callouts within their communities, across the ACT, and sometimes inter-state as needed.
Rewards/Benefits
The rewards are many – learning new skills, keeping fit, gaining valuable qualifications, earning respect within the community, having fun, and being active as part of a dedicated team. Additionally, you can also gain:
A great sense of achievement,
Many unique and interesting experiences and opportunities,
Nationally accredited training,
The opportunity to meet likeminded people and make lifelong friends,
The opportunity to make a difference in your community, and
The opportunity to receive formal recognition including ACTSES, ACT Government and national honours and awards.
Training Opportunities
Members of the ACTSES deliver a broad range of capabilities to the community.
Training is comprehensive and is aligned to national units of competency, mostly from the
Public Safety Training Package
. Training and assessment are provided by subject matter experts and nationally qualified trainers and assessors, many of whom are ACTSES volunteers.
Training Opportunities
Unit of Competency
Unit Name
Core Skills
PUACOM001
Communicate in the workplace
Core Skills
PUACOM002
Provide services to clients
Core Skills
PUAWHS001
Follow defined work, health and safety policies and procedures
Core Skills
PUATEA001
Work in a team
Core Skills
PUATEA004
Work effectively in a public safety organisation
Core Skills
PUAOPE013
Operate communications systems and equipment
Asbestos Awareness
11084NAT
Course in asbestos awareness
First Aid
HLTAID009
Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
First Aid
HLTAID010
Provide basic emergency life support
First Aid
HLTAID011
Provide First Aid
Bushfire Awareness
22541VIC
Course in Basic Wildfire Awareness
AIIMS Awareness
22611VIC
Course in Awareness of the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS)
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUASES008
Undertake storm and water damage operations
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUASES013
Undertake storm and water damage operations performed at heights
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUAEQU001
Prepare, maintain and test response equipment
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUAWHS002
Maintain safety at an incident scene
Land Search Rescue
PUASAR027
Undertake land search rescue
Land Search Rescue
PUALAW001
Protect and preserve incident scene
Team Leader
PUAOPE015
Conduct briefings and debriefings
Team Leader
PUAOPE012
Control a Level 1 Incident
Navigation
PUAOPE014
Navigate to an incident
Service Driver
PUAVEH001
Drive vehicles under operational conditions
4WD Operator
TLIC0023
Operate four-wheel drive vehicle
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT2273
Trim and cut felled trees
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT3347
Fell trees manually (intermediate)
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT3348
Fell trees manually (advanced)
Incident Management
PUAOPE018
Control a Level 2 incident
Incident Management
PUAOPE023
Manage operations for a Level 2 incident
Incident Management
PUAFIR502
Develop incident control strategies
Incident Management
PUAOPE025
Manage planning for a complex incident
Incident Management
PUAOPE022
Manage logistics for a complex Incident
Incident Management
22612VIC
Course in the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS)
Aviation
PUAFIR217
Work safely around aircraft
Aviation
PUAFIR003
Manage aviation support operations at air base
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Aviation radio operator
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Air base manager
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Staging area operations
Service Boat Operator
Internal Qualification
General boat license
Requirements
Compliance Requirements
The ACT Working with Vulnerable People card application can take up to 21 days to process. Therefore, prospective members are advised to apply for this card as early as possible.
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required to obtain qualifications completed through the ACTSES. If you do not have a USI you can apply for one through the following link:
www.usi.gov.au
.
A National Police Check is required.
Age Requirements
ACTSES accepts members from the age of 16 (with parental consent) and from 18 for general membership.
Junior members will always be always supervised by at least two qualified adults. All members of ACTSES are required to hold a current and valid WWVP card. Participation of junior members is under the discretion of the responsible Unit Commander, and may be withdrawn at any time
Health Requirements
As part of the application process prospective members must provide a medical report from their medical practitioner clearing them to undertake physical activities. A copy of the medical clearance will be provided 0to applicants. As part of the application process prospective members must provide a medical report from their medical practitioner clearing them to undertake physical activities. A copy of the medical clearance will be provided 0to applicants.
Fitness Requirements
A reasonable degree of fitness is required for most roles, although ACTSES welcomes membership enquiries from people with a range of abilities.
Role
Role Description
Level
Requirements
Operational Support
Minimum requirement for Community Education, Peer Support Officers, Unit Support Officers
None/Light
1.6km in under 16 minutes
Field Operator
Minimum requirement for Operational Members
Moderate
3.2km carrying 11kg in under 30 minutes
Accessibility
Privacy
Disclaimer
Copyright
Sitemap
Skip to main content
ACT State Emergency Service
Volunteering is open to everyone with opportunities to suit individual needs and capabilities
ACT State Emergency Service
About Us
The ACTSES is proud to have over 360 dedicated volunteers from diverse backgrounds and professions – volunteering across 7 units around the ACT.
Volunteering with ACTSES is open to anyone passionate about making a difference in their community. Whether you're interested in hands-on operational roles or prefer supporting behind the scenes, there's a place for you. Our flexible approach ensures that everyone can find a role that suits their interests and skills.
Field Operations Members – engage in storm and water damage response, radio communications, operations centre support, search and navigation, scene lighting, first aid, and community engagement.
Operational Support Members – provide essential support roles including first aid , general welfare to volunteers, community engagement , incident management support, communications support and administrative tasks.
Click here to learn more about the ACTSES
.
2027 Recruitment
Please register your interest in our next recruitment by entering your details here -
ACTSES - Register to Volunteer
Click this link to read Terry’s story
.
Volunteering with the ACTSES
Being a member of the ACTSES is a significant and rewarding commitment.
As a volunteer with the ACTSES, you can expect to:
Assist all members of our community, embracing diversity and inclusion.
Be ready to help at any time, day or night.
Embrace the elements – you might get dirty, tired, wet, hot, or cold, sometimes all at once!
Work as part of a dedicated team, relying on each other’s strengths.
Engage in critical thinking and problem-solving to tackle diverse challenges.
Service values
The ACTSES is part of the ACT Public Service, and as such its volunteers demonstrate the values of:
Respect
Integrity
Collaboration
Innovation
Initial Commitments
The initial training undertaken by ACTSES volunteers is a significant commitment which involves a combination of face to face and online training, a fitness test, and visits with the Units.’
Ongoing Commitments
It is acknowledged and understood that volunteers’ main priorities are family and work. On average, an ACTSES volunteer spends five hours a week ‘in orange’. Below is an indication of minimum attendance requirements:
Category
Indicative Minimum Attendance Requirements
Operational Member
An operational member must attend a minimum of six training/community education/operational activities per six-month period.
Unit Support Officer
No minimum attendance requirements.
Junior Member
A junior member must attend a minimum of six training/community education/operational activities per six-month period.
All ACTSES members attend training on a weekly basis. In addition to these scheduled training commitments, volunteers are required to maintain the currency of their skills by attending community events and operations related to their position within the Service.
Both Field Operations and Operations Support members respond to callouts within their communities, across the ACT, and sometimes inter-state as needed.
Rewards/Benefits
The rewards are many – learning new skills, keeping fit, gaining valuable qualifications, earning respect within the community, having fun, and being active as part of a dedicated team. Additionally, you can also gain:
A great sense of achievement,
Many unique and interesting experiences and opportunities,
Nationally accredited training,
The opportunity to meet likeminded people and make lifelong friends,
The opportunity to make a difference in your community, and
The opportunity to receive formal recognition including ACTSES, ACT Government and national honours and awards.
Training Opportunities
Members of the ACTSES deliver a broad range of capabilities to the community.
Training is comprehensive and is aligned to national units of competency, mostly from the
Public Safety Training Package
. Training and assessment are provided by subject matter experts and nationally qualified trainers and assessors, many of whom are ACTSES volunteers.
Training Opportunities
Unit of Competency
Unit Name
Core Skills
PUACOM001
Communicate in the workplace
Core Skills
PUACOM002
Provide services to clients
Core Skills
PUAWHS001
Follow defined work, health and safety policies and procedures
Core Skills
PUATEA001
Work in a team
Core Skills
PUATEA004
Work effectively in a public safety organisation
Core Skills
PUAOPE013
Operate communications systems and equipment
Asbestos Awareness
11084NAT
Course in asbestos awareness
First Aid
HLTAID009
Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
First Aid
HLTAID010
Provide basic emergency life support
First Aid
HLTAID011
Provide First Aid
Bushfire Awareness
22541VIC
Course in Basic Wildfire Awareness
AIIMS Awareness
22611VIC
Course in Awareness of the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS)
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUASES008
Undertake storm and water damage operations
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUASES013
Undertake storm and water damage operations performed at heights
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUAEQU001
Prepare, maintain and test response equipment
Storm and Water Damage Operator
PUAWHS002
Maintain safety at an incident scene
Land Search Rescue
PUASAR027
Undertake land search rescue
Land Search Rescue
PUALAW001
Protect and preserve incident scene
Team Leader
PUAOPE015
Conduct briefings and debriefings
Team Leader
PUAOPE012
Control a Level 1 Incident
Navigation
PUAOPE014
Navigate to an incident
Service Driver
PUAVEH001
Drive vehicles under operational conditions
4WD Operator
TLIC0023
Operate four-wheel drive vehicle
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT2273
Trim and cut felled trees
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT3347
Fell trees manually (intermediate)
Chainsaw Operator
FWPCOT3348
Fell trees manually (advanced)
Incident Management
PUAOPE018
Control a Level 2 incident
Incident Management
PUAOPE023
Manage operations for a Level 2 incident
Incident Management
PUAFIR502
Develop incident control strategies
Incident Management
PUAOPE025
Manage planning for a complex incident
Incident Management
PUAOPE022
Manage logistics for a complex Incident
Incident Management
22612VIC
Course in the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System (AIIMS)
Aviation
PUAFIR217
Work safely around aircraft
Aviation
PUAFIR003
Manage aviation support operations at air base
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Aviation radio operator
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Air base manager
Aviation
Internal Qualification
Staging area operations
Service Boat Operator
Internal Qualification
General boat license
Requirements
Compliance Requirements
The ACT Working with Vulnerable People card application can take up to 21 days to process. Therefore, prospective members are advised to apply for this card as early as possible.
A Unique Student Identifier (USI) is required to obtain qualifications completed through the ACTSES. If you do not have a USI you can apply for one through the following link:
www.usi.gov.au
.
A National Police Check is required.
Age Requirements
ACTSES accepts members from the age of 16 (with parental consent) and from 18 for general membership.
Junior members will always be always supervised by at least two qualified adults. All members of ACTSES are required to hold a current and valid WWVP card. Participation of junior members is under the discretion of the responsible Unit Commander, and may be withdrawn at any time
Health Requirements
As part of the application process prospective members must provide a medical report from their medical practitioner clearing them to undertake physical activities. A copy of the medical clearance will be provided 0to applicants. As part of the application process prospective members must provide a medical report from their medical practitioner clearing them to undertake physical activities. A copy of the medical clearance will be provided 0to applicants.
Fitness Requirements
A reasonable degree of fitness is required for most roles, although ACTSES welcomes membership enquiries from people with a range of abilities.
Role
Role Description
Level
Requirements
Operational Support
Minimum requirement for Community Education, Peer Support Officers, Unit Support Officers
None/Light
1.6km in under 16 minutes
Field Operator
Minimum requirement for Operational Members
Moderate
3.2km carrying 11kg in under 30 minutes
Accessibility
Privacy
Disclaimer
Copyright
Sitemap