Disaster recovery is rewarding work. Be it flood, bushfire, cyclone or pandemic, Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) is here to help. With our army of dedicated volunteers, we respond to disasters and deliver support to those in need.
DRA brings hope to communities devastated by disaster. We unite the skills and experience of military veterans, emergency responders and motivated civilians to deploy Disaster Relief Teams around Australia and the world. We help people during some of their worst days.
Deploying with DRA and supporting disaster affected communities is rewarding beyond measure. Through volunteering, corporate partnerships, financial donations or working with us, there are many ways to make a positive contribution and become a force for good.
News and stories are the heartbeat of our mission. Discover the inspiring narratives of our dedicated volunteers and resilient communities we stand by. These stories vividly depict the impact of our work, showcase the power of compassion and unity and remind us that we can make a difference together.
There are many ways to make a positive contribution and bring hope to others. As a not-for-profit community cause, Disaster Relief Australia exists through the combined generosity of volunteers, donors, corporate partners and fundraisers.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: Cootamundra
DATE: Saturday 17th to Sunday 18th January 2026
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Polesaw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~9 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training equips you with essential skills for disaster recovery operations, where managing fallen trees and debris safely and efficiently is critical. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and execute tree trimming and cutting tasks with confidence, skills that are often the first step in helping communities recover from disaster.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION:1670 Old Maitland Road Sawyers Gully
DATE: 24 – 25 November 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Polesaw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~9 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training equips you with essential skills for disaster recovery operations, where managing fallen trees and debris safely and efficiently is critical. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and execute tree trimming and cutting tasks with confidence, skills that are often the first step in helping communities recover from disaster.
TRAINING EVENT: Chainsaw – Trim and cut felled trees – FWPCOT2273, Maintain Chainsaws – FWPCOT2254 and Trim trees using a pole saw – FWPCOT3301
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: To be confirmed DATE: 25 – 26 October 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Pole saw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING:
Full Chainsaw Course: Approx. ~9 hours
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and cut felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: To be confirmed DATE: Saturday 18th – 19th October 2025
TIMINGS 0900 – 1600 both days
PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have Tetanus vaccine up to date.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and Cut Felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim Tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: Perth
DATE: 1 – 2 November 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Polesaw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~9 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training equips you with essential skills for disaster recovery operations, where managing fallen trees and debris safely and efficiently is critical. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and execute tree trimming and cutting tasks with confidence, skills that are often the first step in helping communities recover from disaster.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2275 – Fell trees manually (Basic)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: Gnangara State Forrest
DATE: 18 – 19 October 2025
TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, Both days ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date. To be eligible for this course, volunteers must already be qualified inTrim & Cut and Maintain Chainsaw. Applicants without this prerequisite willNOTbe considered.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This course builds higher-level skills beyond standard chainsaw trimming, advancing into safe tree felling, assessment, and maintenance. With a strong focus on safety and risk management, volunteers are better equipped to support disaster recovery operations.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2275 – Fell trees manually (Basic)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: Gnangara State Forrest
DATE: 18 – 19 October 2025
TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, Both days
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date. To be eligible for this course, volunteers must already be qualified inTrim & Cut and Maintain Chainsaw. Applicants without this prerequisite willNOTbe considered.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This course builds higher-level skills beyond standard chainsaw trimming, advancing into safe tree felling, assessment, and maintenance. With a strong focus on safety and risk management, volunteers are better equipped to support disaster recovery operations.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2254 Maintain Chainsaws & FWPCOT2273 Trim and Cut Felled trees & FWPCOT3301 Trim Tree using a Polesaw
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION:Perth
DATE: 1 – 2 November 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Trim & Cut Course: 0800 – 1600, Both days
Polesaw Only: 0800 – 1600, Second day
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~9 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training equips you with essential skills for disaster recovery operations, where managing fallen trees and debris safely and efficiently is critical. You’ll learn how to assess, plan, and execute tree trimming and cutting tasks with confidence, skills that are often the first step in helping communities recover from disaster.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT2275 – Fell trees manually (Basic)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: To be confirmed
DATE: 18 – 19 October 2025
TIMINGS: 0800 – 1600, Both days
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date. To be eligible for this course, volunteers must already be qualified inTrim & Cut and Maintain Chainsaw. Applicants without this prerequisite willNOTbe considered.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This course builds higher-level skills beyond standard chainsaw trimming, advancing into safe tree felling, assessment, and maintenance. With a strong focus on safety and risk management, volunteers are better equipped to support disaster recovery operations.
TRAINING EVENT: FWPCOT3350 – Fell trees manually (Intermediate)
COURSE PROVIDER: Emergency Australia
LOCATION: To be confirmed
DATE: 22 – 23 November 2025
TIMINGS:
Full Felling Course: 0800 – 1600, both days
ONLINE PRE-LEARNING: ~3 hours PREREQUISITES: Must be Engagement Ready or Deployment Ready in Muster and have a Tetanus vaccine up to date.
WHY THIS TRAINING MATTERS: This training builds advanced skills in tree assessment and cutting, helping volunteers make informed decisions in complex environments. It focuses on forest dynamics, safety, and risk management beyond basic chainsaw use.
