A Labor MP has called for school leavers to undertake a year of mandatory civil service in disaster response, saying bushfires demand a "mobilisation of will" akin to during World War II.

The radical proposal floated by Labor backbencher Mike Kelly, whose electorate encompasses much of the fire-ravaged South Coast, suggested high school graduates spend a year in a Civil Defence Corps - an umbrella organisation under which all existing volunteer disaster response services would sit.

ACT Rural Fire Service members at a bushfire near Adaminaby. Labor backbencher Mike Kelly has raised concerns about the number of volunteers in fire services nationally. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

In a lengthy Facebook post, which he stressed was only his personal view, Dr Kelly said lengthening bushfire seasons as a result of climate change "demand the same sort of national mobilisation of will as we required in World War II".

Dr Kelly, who is a former Australian Defence Force officer and the Member for Eden-Monaro, said Australia should establish a Civil Defence Corps with members paid by the Commonwealth like army reservists. They would receive medals that would entitle them to march on ANZAC Day, and get special discounts for their service.