A NEW Scouts badge encouraging young people to learn valuable real-world skills that are used within the State Emegency Services (SES) was launched in Kewdale on Saturday.
The Scouts WA Emergency Service Awareness Badge was launched at the Belmont SES Unit with outgoing WA Governor Kerry Sanderson, Scout WA chief commissioner Barbara de la Hunty, Department of Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey and other dignitaries in attendance.
The design and criteria for the badge were spearheaded by Scouts WA Leader and SES volunteer Sarah Hamilton.
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READ NOWKiara resident Ms Hamilton, who is a SES Belmont Unit team leader, said her passion for community engagement and developing young people into responsible citizens was the reason behind the new relationship with DFES,
“When I was a Cub Scout, I met SES members who encouraged me that I could be in emergency services and build on my scouting skills,” she said.
“Since then I have met young people who I believe are more than capable of helping and serving the community with the right training and opportunities.”
Youth members throughout all sections of scouting learn key skills such as knots, navigation, first aid and teamwork.
These skills are also foundational within the SES, which reinforces the connection between the two organisations and provides another avenue for Scouts to use their skills in service to the community.
For each scout to earn this badge they must show that they have developed an awareness and an understanding of issues that the SES deal with when they are called out to help the community.
Several youth members of Scouts WA will be receiving the new badge at the ceremony, which will be awarded to them by the Governor and attending Commissioners.
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