Smartphone App to Mobilise Qld Volunteers

QLD Premier Anna Bligh launches the Ready Qld App with Volunteering Qld CEO Jelenko Dragisic

More than 1,000 people have downloaded Volunteering Qld’s new Smartphone App, Ready Qld, in the two days since it launched on 15 January.

QLD Premier Anna Bligh said the free App, Ready Qld – developed by Volunteering Qld with the research assistance of the University of Queensland – would empower Queenslanders to be better equipped to work together in situations of disaster.

“This App will not only inform Queenslanders about preparedness for disasters – resources, checklists and advice – but will also provide real-time updates and information about volunteering opportunities in your local area.

“While our communities were devastated by the natural disasters of 2011, the outpouring of compassion was overwhelming.

“Immediately following the disasters, Volunteering Qld was inundated with calls from people around Queensland and Australia.

“Within three days of the floods striking Brisbane, 55,000 people had registered their desire to help.

“As well as that, thousands of people signed up for the Mud Army – who can forget the images of people dropping everything to help out perfect strangers in their time of need.”

Features of the App Include:

• Register with CREW (Community Response to Extreme Weather) to be an emergency volunteer;
• See current emergency volunteering opportunities;
• Access all the key contacts for emergencies in one place and save your own emergency contacts;
• Watch the short disaster preparedness and response videos;
• Find out what you need to have in your emergency stay/go kit (and check them off when you’ve got them); and
• Read the latest news from www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au

The project has been made possible through the joint State and Federal Government funded Natural Disaster Resilience Program (NDRP).

Volunteering Qld CEO, Jelenko Dragisic, said the natural disasters of 2011 highlighted just how important technology and social media were when it came to rebuilding homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

“Volunteering Qld has learnt much from the experiences over the last year, now providing better support and services for emergency volunteering,” Dragisic said.

“We’ve enhanced our database of emergency volunteers, agencies and opportunities. Improved services means we can quickly register, search and match opportunities with volunteers easily and conveniently – and Ready Qld will take that to a whole new level.”

To download the App, search READY QLD on the App store or visit www.emergencyvolunteering.com.au for more information.