VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH SPARE TIME LIFESAVING
Daniel Mcwhirter has packed a lot into his 31 years.
He lives in Dubbo but works in underground mining at Cobar as a production charge up operator and production 2IC shift supervisor. Married to Kara, the couple has a 12-year-old son, Izak and Daniel enjoys wood-work restoration, fishing and camping, but in his ‘spare’ time he’s a General land Rescue Operator with Dubbo Rescue Squad.
“I have always had a desire to help those around me when I can and have strong interest in community service,” he said, explaining that he was an active member of the NSW RFS for many years before stepping down due to family commitments.
“In 2018 I saw a Facebook post from the Dubbo Rescue Squad seeking new members to join and the timing seemed right for me to get back into joining a community organisation.
“As part of my role I assist in fundraising events that enable us to continue to provide the service we do to the community, we also have weekly training and maintenance days to hone and develop our skills, In addition to responding to any incidents within our district that require rescue services to attend, from stuck animals, motor vehicle accidents, search and rescue, to assisting other emergency services.”
Mr Mcwhirter enjoys the “endless” training and life skills that volunteers can acquire within the organisation, everything from the multiple rescue techniques that cover industrial, domestic, USAR (Urban search and rescue), rope skills/vertical rescue, medical patient handling, swift water rescue, general working at heights, chainsaw, and the constantly developing new skills for anything rescue related.
“My personal availability varies with home and work commitments, but like all our volunteers I give as much as I can,” he said. “We have to keep up to scratch with our training and are required to maintain a minimum of 24 hours training within a six month period to maintain our operational status but we are on standby 24/7, 365 days a year for all emergencies.”
He says the role is “extremely rewarding”.
“I can’t think of anything that compares to the ability to help someone that is in need of help, and knowing that you have made a difference to not just their life but their family’s life.”
He’s encouraging anyone interested in serving their community to consider Dubbo Rescue Squad. “Definitely get in touch with us, come down, check it out, from being an operational member or a support member, there is plenty to do, you have nothing to lose and plenty of skills to gain, the Volunteer Rescue Association is a second family and a rewarding organisation to be a part of.”