In the Waimakariri District, we rely on dedicated and skilled volunteers who can respond to an emergency.
Emergency management volunteers train on a regular basis to respond to an emergency. Teams vary in size, age, shape and skill, but all have a part to play in helping the community.
NZRT-12 is our Waimakariri-based response team. This team trains weekly, and is highly specialised, with a variety of search and rescue skills in fields such as First Aid, Welfare, Communications, Storm Response, and Flood Response.
Further information on the NZRT-12 can be found on the Civil Defence website or the NZRT-12 team's Facebook page.
This multi-disciplinary team trains once a month to be capable of carrying out different roles in an emergency.
Volunteers are responsible for setting up Civil Defence Centres to receive people from the community requiring assistance.
The team also carries out operational support such as recognisance, assessing field welfare needs and managing cordons. They also support the Community Emergency Hubs and other volunteer teams as needed.
Other ways to volunteer
There are other ways you can volunteer your time to help during an emergency:
- You could open and help run your local Community Emergency Hub
- You may consider joining the New Zealand Red Cross, or become a volunteer firefighter with your local fire brigade
- If you’re keen on the outdoors, you could even join Land Search and Rescue as a volunteer
- For other volunteering opportunities within Waimakariri, you can visit the Volunteering Canterbury website
- If you're with a business, you could be involved with responding to an emergency by offering your skills, expertise and resources to help your community. If you are a business owner and wish to register your potential assistance for the future, please contact us.
Contact us
To learn more about becoming an emergency management volunteer, contact:
Dean Eades
Emergency Management Advisor
Email: dean.eades@wmk.govt.nz
Cellphone: 027 216 5704