The Volunteer Marine Rescue Program
The Goal of the Volunteer Marine Rescue program is to
"develop coordination and standardisation among volunteer marine rescue organisations in Queensland".
The main objectives of the VMR Program are:
- To increase the professionalism of volunteer marine rescue;
- To achieve standardisation in operations and training in volunteer marine rescue;
- To assist with the provision of added protection to members of Volunteer Marine Rescue Units through service wide insurance policies;
- To develop and maintain the Department of Emergency Services Accreditation Guidelines for Volunteer Marine Rescue Units, which require Volunteer Marine Rescue Units and their members to meet certain minimum standards;
- To develop and maintain Competency Based Training Programs which supplement the Accreditation Guidelines. Such programs are at certificate level and accredited on the national framework for the recognition of training;
- To develop a closer working relationship with the Queensland Police Service - the State Search and Rescue Authority;
- To coordinate State Government input into volunteer marine rescue policies;
- To improve government funding provisions for volunteer marine rescue organisations;
- To develop public awareness programs in conjunction with the volunteer marine rescue organisations; and
- To review existing rescue services to identify areas of overlap and under-servicing.
The Queensland Government is responsible for ensuring adequate facilities and practices are in place for marine search and rescue. In order to fulfil its commitment, the Government realised the need for members of volunteer marine rescue organisations to meet minimum standards for training and operation to ensure that the most efficient and effective safety service is provided to those who utilise the marine environment in Queensland.
The Volunteer Marine Rescue Support Package forms an overarching document which reflected the initiatives that have been implemented for volunteer marine operations in Queensland. The Aim of the Volunteer Marine Rescue Support Package (VMRSP) is to promote and support partnership between the Department of Emergency Services (DES) and volunteer marine rescue organisations in providing a safer marine environment.
Other documents within the Support Package are:
- Queensland Emergency Services, Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue Blue Water Accreditation Guidelines;
- Queensland Emergency Services, Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue White Water Accreditation Guidelines;
- Department of Emergency Services, Queensland Volunteer Marine Rescue Accreditation Administration Procedures;
- Service Agreements.
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