Many people interested in emergency response ask the same question:

How do I actually get started in the industry?

It’s a great question that SETS CEO, Kevin Broadbent was happy to answer.

Working in mine emergency response is a rewarding career path, but like many specialist roles, it often requires a combination of formal training and practical experience.

One of the most effective ways to build that experience is through volunteering, either before  or after completing your Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue.

| “Volunteering gives you real skills you can carry with you — in fire, rescue, medical and beyond…“If I didn’t volunteer, I wouldn’t have the passion or the career I have today.”

By combining structured training with volunteer emergency services, people can develop the skills, teamwork and confidence needed to step into emergency response roles across mining, industrial and remote operations.

The Role of the Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue

The RII30719 Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue is one of the most common starting qualifications for people entering the emergency response field.

The course provides hands-on training across multiple emergency response disciplines, including fire response, rescue operations and medical response.

Participants gain practical experience in areas such as:

• fire team operations
• confined space rescue
• road crash rescue
• vertical rescue
• breathing apparatus operations
• emergency response coordination

Completing a Cert III helps build the technical foundation required to work as part of an Emergency Response Team (ERT) on mine sites and industrial operations.

However, while training provides the skills, many people look for ways to gain real-world experience alongside their qualifications.

This is where volunteering can play a powerful role.

How Volunteering Helps Build Real Emergency Response Experience

Volunteering with emergency service organisations allows people to apply their training in real situations while developing confidence and teamwork.

Many emergency response professionals began their careers by volunteering with organisations such as:

• SES (State Emergency Service)
• St John Ambulance
• Volunteer fire brigades
• Community rescue organisations

Volunteering provides exposure to real incidents, emergency scenarios and teamwork environments that are difficult to replicate fully in a training setting.

Even when volunteers are not actively responding to major incidents, they are continuously developing valuable skills such as communication, coordination and decision-making under pressure.

These experiences can make a significant difference when pursuing opportunities within mine emergency response teams.

Volunteering Teaches The Importance of Teamwork in Emergency Response

Emergency response is never an individual effort.

Every successful response relies on a coordinated team working together, with each member contributing different strengths.

Some responders may specialise in medical response, while others focus on rescue operations, firefighting or incident coordination.

Volunteering environments provide an excellent opportunity to develop these teamwork skills.

Responders learn how to:

• Communicate clearly during high-pressure situations
• Identify strengths within the team
• Support leadership decisions during incidents
• Build trust between team members

These are the same skills required on mine sites where emergency response teams must operate quickly, efficiently and safely.

How Volunteering Can Open Career Pathways

Many people who start volunteering in emergency services eventually build long-term careers in emergency response and safety roles.

Some volunteers progress into positions such as:

• Emergency Services Officers (ESOs)
• Medical Emergency Services Officers (MESOs)
• Mine site emergency response team members
• Career firefighters
• Ambulance officers or paramedics
• Safety and risk management roles

The combination of formal qualifications and volunteer experience demonstrates commitment, practical capability and a willingness to learn. Qualities that employers in the mining and industrial sectors value highly.

For many people, volunteering becomes the first step toward a long and rewarding career.

Starting Your Emergency Response Career

If you are considering a career in emergency response, there are several practical steps you can take to begin building your experience.

Step 1: Complete Your Cert III in Emergency Response and Rescue

The Cert III provides the core training needed to understand rescue, fire and medical response procedures. Learn more and book your course by clicking here.

Step 2: Gain Experience Through Volunteering

Joining organisations such as SES or St John Ambulance can help you develop practical experience and teamwork skills.

Step 3: Seek Opportunities on Emergency Response Teams

Many mine sites operate Emergency Response Teams where trained personnel can volunteer or work as part of the site’s safety capability.

With the right training and experience, opportunities begin to open across the emergency response and safety sectors.

By combining formal training such as the Certificate III in Emergency Response and Rescue with volunteer emergency service experience, many people are able to build the skills, teamwork and confidence needed to succeed in the field.

For those willing to learn, volunteer their time and continue building their capability, emergency response offers opportunities to develop meaningful careers while helping protect people and communities.