Future Challenges for Volunteer Based Emergency Services

The issues of declining volunteer numbers are now well established. Aging population, rural population decline, climate change, the changing of family dynamics and the complex whole-oflife pressures facing individuals impact on the willingness and ability of individuals to volunteer time for community service. The challenge for the leadership of Emergency Service Organisations is to expand their volunteer base at a rate that corresponds with the population in growth areas whilst maintaining service delivery standards to small remote communities where population is declining.