What is an emergency services volunteer? 

A volunteer who is volunteering with a recognised emergency services organisation in response to a disaster (see definition below).

For example, if a volunteer firefighter loses their life in the course of their volunteer work responding to a disaster, their family is eligible to apply for support from the AVST. The primary focus of the trust will be on supporting children to adulthood with a particular focus on education. Eligibility criteria is in development and will apply. 

What is a Disaster or Emergency?

A disaster is defined as natural and unavoidable catastrophes that interrupt the expected course of events.  Examples are bushfires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, explosions, war, riots, etc.

We are using the generally used ‘force majeure’ legal definition of a disaster as our guide.