Volunteer With Us

Your Skills.A New Home.

Whether you're a veteran, a civilian, or a former emergency services volunteer — your skills and commitment matter. One Response is building a national network of deployable operators ready to move when communities need it most.

Apply to Volunteer → View Our Capability →

Your Pathway

From Applicationto Deployment.

Whatever your current credentials, there's a clear path to becoming an active part of the One Response volunteer team.

Apply With Your Background

Submit your application with whatever qualifications and experience you already hold — prior emergency services, first aid, chainsaw certification, ADF service, or general volunteer history all count.

Fill Any Gaps in Training

If you don't already hold required certifications, we'll connect you with pathways through Multisec Training and PSTR Group's accredited programs to get you deployment-ready.

Join the Deployment Roster

Once credentialed, you're part of the team — deploying to assist with emergencies and community needs in your area alongside experienced One Response personnel.

Volunteer Roles

Areas ofDeployment.

Roles are grouped by tier. Support roles are open to all applicants. Operational and specialist roles require relevant background or certification.

Core Operational Roles — relevant background or experience required

Search & Rescue

Ground search, casualty location, and extraction operations in urban and remote environments.

Flood & Water Response

Flood rescue, water-based evacuation, and inundation support operations.

Bushfire Ground Operations

Fireground support, perimeter management, and suppression assistance during bushfire events. Victorian deployments a key focus.

Chainsaw & Hazard Management

Tree felling, debris clearance, and fuel reduction operations. Targeting Victorian bushfire hazard reduction and post-event recovery.

FPICOR2204 or equivalent required

Emergency Medical / First Aid

Casualty treatment, triage support, and first aid provision at incident sites. HLTAID011 minimum preferred.

Air Support

Ground crew, observer, and logistics roles supporting helicopter and drone operations. Not pilot positions.

Logistics & Supply Chain

Equipment transport, staging area management, and resupply coordination during active operations.

Command & Communications

Incident coordination, radio comms, and situational awareness support within command structures.

Support Roles — open to all applicants

Community Education & Training

Delivering emergency preparedness sessions, school programs, and public readiness education across communities.

Administration & Operations Support

Back-office and operational admin support to keep deployments coordinated and efficient.

Specialist Roles — prior certification required before deployment

Swift Water Rescue

Technical flood rescue in fast-moving water environments. Prior certification with SES, SurfCom, or equivalent required.

Prior certification required

Drone Operations

UAV operations for aerial reconnaissance, thermal imaging, and situational awareness support.

CASA RePL required

Helicopter Crew

Aircrew and helicopter operations roles requiring appropriate CASA endorsement and operational experience.

CASA endorsement required

Tactical Medical

Advanced trauma and tactical medical support for high-risk operational environments.

Qualification required

What's Included

Training. Equipment.A Real Team.

Volunteering with One Response means more than turning up — you get real training, real equipment access, and a structured team to deploy with.

First Aid CertificationGet certified or recertified through Multisec Training if you don't already hold current quals.

Swiftwater Rescue TrainingLearn swiftwater rescue through One Response's Rescue 3 certified instructors and gain a credential that travels with you.

Real Deployment OpportunitiesJoin a team that actually deploys — assisting with emergencies and community needs when your area calls for it.

An Experienced Team Around YouTrain and deploy alongside veteran-led, professionally credentialed personnel as a real part of the operation.

Access to EquipmentOperate with proper rescue equipment — Zodiac craft, jet skis, rope rescue gear — not improvised solutions.

Nationally Recognised TrainingDelivered through Multisec Training and PSTR Group — accredited credentials, not informal courses.

Important — Credentials, Qualifications & DRA

One Response operates as an independent, veteran-owned emergency response organisation. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a replacement for Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) or any other volunteer organisation. Former DRA volunteers are welcome to apply and prior DRA service will be considered as relevant experience during the assessment process.

Any qualifications, certifications, or credentials obtained through DRA or other organisations remain the private property of the individual. One Response does not claim ownership of, transfer, or supersede any externally issued credential. Volunteers may be required to present evidence of qualifications prior to operational deployment.

Roles marked as requiring certification (Swift Water Rescue, Chainsaw Operations, Drone, Helicopter Crew, Tactical Medical) will not be activated for deployment until the relevant credential has been sighted and verified by One Response. If you require access to nationally recognised training to qualify for a specialist role, please contact us to discuss pathways through our registered training partners.

Submission of an expression of interest does not constitute acceptance as a One Response volunteer. All applicants will be contacted by our team to discuss suitability, availability, and next steps.

Your Skills.A New Home.

Volunteer Roles

Certifications Held

Additional Information

Important — Credentials, Qualifications & DRA