Singleton locals will be the first in the state to participate in a ground-breaking internship program designed to provide young people with basic emergency services training.

Funded by Singleton Council’s Bushfire Community Wellbeing and Connectedness Fund, the Singleton Emergency Services Internship program is open to people aged 16 to 21 years who live in the Singleton Local Government Area (LGA).

Through the program, participants will learn about emergency response preparedness and recovery.

This will be taught through practical hands-on training with local emergency services including NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), State Emergency Service (SES), Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Ambulance. Upon completion, participants will receive their First Aid Certificate.

Manager of Singleton PCYC, Dave Andrews said local youth have had a great appreciation for the role of first responders in our community, with disasters including fires, floods, drought, and a pandemic affecting Singleton in past few years.

He said the internship, which is based on PCYC’s Rise-up and Fit for Service program, would run over eight weeks from 1 February 2023, including four-hour sessions every Wednesday evening.

“Our emergency service agencies are staffed by both professionals and volunteers and play an absolutely vital role in our community,” he said.

“This new internship program will give young people a fantastic insight into what it takes to work for these organisations.

“Participants will have the opportunity to engage with active agency personnel and gain real hands-on experience with these organisations. They will also receive first aid training and increase skills in leadership and communication in the process.”

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said if the program proved successful in Singleton, similar programs would be replicated across the state.

“This historic program is the result of months of work between local agencies and the PCYC and presents an incredibly unique opportunity for our young people to gain on-the-job training and experience in emergency management and disaster preparedness,” she said.

“We hope those who undertake the internship may even consider a career in emergency services, and I encourage anyone aged 16-21 years to submit an expression of interest.”

Expressions of interest for the internship program close on 25 January 2023.

IMAGE | Singleton, New South Wales.