The NT Fire & Rescue Service’s ‘Volunteer Community Education Trailer’ has been announced as the NT winner of this year’s Resilient Australia Awards.
The awards are an Australian Government initiative sponsored by the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department, in conjunction with states and territories.
The awards recognise the innovative practices and achievements of organisations that are making our communities safer, stronger, more resilient and better prepared to manage any emergency situation.
The awards are judged on two levels, with State and Territory winners being decided and recognised first, and in turn becoming finalists for the national awards.
This year’s NT winner was announced tonight at a ceremony at the Peter McAulay Centre.
“This project, entered in the Government Sector category, was created to address an identified gap in community engagement and education which allows volunteer educators to deliver fire education from a mobile platform in any location,” NT Representative for the Resilient Australia Awards Clare Barker said.
“The judging panel was impressed by this entry's innovative use of multimedia to achieve an 'all in one' mobile educational trailer to elevate awareness of fire regardless of location. As education is provided on household fires as well as bushfires, it was seen to benefit not only the individual but the community as well.
“The use of interactive demonstrations and technology engages all ages especially youth with information easily transferable via USB. This also allows ease of updates and adaptability of media to suit a target audience. The fact that all communities receive the same quality education from standardised mobile trailers was seen as a great benefit as there is a seamless transfer of education to the end user with no location disadvantaged.
“The program is delivered by volunteers; it provides community input and ownership and updates to information can easily be made ensuring currency and viability for the future.”
The project will now be considered for the national award, to be announced later this year.