Course Overview

This course provides participants with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage spontaneous volunteers who step forward to help during emergencies and disasters. While volunteers are invaluable, unmanaged volunteers can create logistical challenges. This training ensures that communities and emergency management teams can safely and efficiently coordinate volunteers to maximise their impact while minimising disruption. The course aligns with NZQA Unit Standard 23702 – Coordinate and manage spontaneous volunteers during a CDEM emergency. Participants will learn how to register, assign roles, provide safety briefings, and integrate volunteers into emergency response efforts. The training also covers communication, risk management, and leadership to ensure volunteers enhance, rather than hinder, emergency operations.

What You Will Learn

• ✅ How to register and assign spontaneous volunteers.
• ✅ Developing volunteer safety briefings and risk management.
• ✅ Effective task allocation and team coordination.
• ✅ How to integrate volunteers within Civil Defence and emergency response teams.
• ✅ Best practices for leading and supervising volunteers in crisis situations.
• ✅ Managing expectations, challenges, and communication with volunteers.
• ✅ Hands-on scenario-based training for real-world emergency volunteer management.
• ✅ NZQA-aligned certification and compliance.

Who This Course is For

• Civil Defence coordinators and emergency response teams.
• Community hubs, councils, and nonprofits managing volunteers.
• Businesses and organisations supporting disaster response.
• Marae and iwi coordinating community-led responses.
• Event organisers and groups handling large numbers of volunteers.

Key Activities Covered (NZQA Unit Standard 23702)

• ✔ Identifying volunteer needs and resources in an emergency.
• ✔ Developing registration and tracking systems for volunteers.
• ✔ Allocating roles and responsibilities to spontaneous volunteers.
• ✔ Ensuring volunteer safety, well-being, and effective deployment.
• ✔ Coordinating with Civil Defence and community response efforts.

Requirements

• No prior experience required – suitable for all skill levels.