A teenage volunteer inspired by a lifetime around emergency services is being celebrated by the NSW SES during National Volunteer Week.

Scarlett Rushton, 17,  has been recognised by the NSW State Emergency Service for her commitment to the community through the NSW SES Mullumbimby Unit.

Scarlett said growing up around the Fire and Rescue NSW station at Mullumbimby had a major influence on her life.

Her father, Josh Rushton, is Station Captain at FRNSW Station 388 Mullumbimby.

“I feel like I grew up at the Mullumbimby fire station,” Scarlett said.

“As a kid, I’d hear sirens and try to guess which service they belonged to. Dad’s firefighters have been like a second family for as long as I can remember.”

Scarlett joined the SES after the 2022 floods.

“The floods were devastating – they affected everyone in some way,” she said.

“I helped wherever I could, mostly with food deliveries and getting essential items to families who needed support.”

When Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred threatened the region last year, Scarlett again stepped up to help, this time wearing an SES uniform.

“I was assisting the community to prepare, but now I was doing it as part of the Mullumbimby SES Unit,” she said.

Scarlett said balancing volunteering with full-time school commitments had not always been easy, but the experience had been rewarding.

“The hardest part is wanting to respond to emergencies and searches but not yet being able to take part in operational roles,” she said.

“There are still lots of meaningful ways to help in support roles, and I’m learning so much. I’m really looking forward to turning 18 and, as Dad says, ‘getting on the tools’.”

She said helping people during some of their toughest moments was what motivated her to volunteer.

“The SES shows up when people are at their most vulnerable, and I’ve seen first-hand the positive impact our volunteers have across the Byron Shire,” she said.

As part of National Volunteer Week, the NSW SES is encouraging people to support volunteers by wearing orange for Wear Orange Wednesday on May 20.

Scarlett said she hoped more young people would consider volunteering.

“If you’re young and want to be part of a skilled team, learn valuable life skills and be recognised for your commitment, I’d absolutely encourage you to give it a go,” she said.