By Staff Writer

The Federal Government has announced a $3.3 million boost to its National Emergency Volunteer Support Fund (NEVSF).

Announced this week by Attorney-General Robert McClelland, the additional funding will support 179 emergency volunteer recruitment, training and infrastructure projects.

McClelland said the NEVSF has been successful in building and training volunteers to respond to a range of emergencies.

“Every year some 500,000 Australians volunteer their services, with 350,000 of them directly involved in emergency first response through State Emergency Services and rural fire services,” McClelland said.

“It is estimated that these emergency volunteers save taxpayers more than $12 billion on wages alone – an amount that would be impossible to provide in their absence.”

For more information visit www.ema.gov.au

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