Introduction

More than a Band-Aid Project

More than a Band-Aid has developed strategies that will improve recruitment, retention, training and support to Volunteer Ambulance Officers (VAO).

More than a Band-Aid is important because

• Tasmania depends heavily on VAOs to provide first response to emergencies and disasters in rural and remote regions;
• Many social and economic changes have led to declines in the levels of volunteers in our society, and
• Organisations need to understand what issues are important to volunteers to maintain volunteer numbers.

The project has national significance as it is the first in Australia to look specifically at VAO recruitment and retention, despite other states relying heavily on VAOs too.

Project Sponsor:

The Commonwealth Government through the Emergency Management Australia Projects Program 2000/2001.

Project implemented by:

The University Department of Rural Health, Tasmania, in partnership with Tasmanian Ambulance Services and the Tasmanian VAO Association.