Study builds confidence in volunteer

Zakia Patel is a volunteer unit commander and incident controller with the NSW State Emergency Service.

Ms Patel received the Emergency Management Volunteer Scholarship. She is now completing the Advanced Diploma of Public Safety (Emergency Management) at TAFE NSW.

She highlights the value of study in strengthening the knowledge and skillset needed for her incident management role.

'The units I have studied so far have assisted me greatly in getting a more comprehensive knowledge of emergency management.

'I have a greater understanding now around community safety messaging and the importance of this,' Ms Patel says.

In addition to theoretical study, the scholarship recipient also enjoys the practical aspects of the course and has used these skills to build her confidence to run local exercises at her unit.

She says she would have been unable to complete study without scholarship support, and is excited to continue her volunteer work and use these new skills to give back to the community.

The Emergency Management Scholarship Program is funded through an Australian Government grant and provides volunteers with an opportunity to further develop their knowledge and skills in the emergency and disaster management sector.