CANTERBURY CIVIL DEFENCE

Gratitude For External Assistance

There has been a major influx of skilled professionals from central and local government to Canterbury, in response to last Saturday’s earthquake. NGOs, professional services firms and other organisations from throughout New Zealand have also willingly and generously sent staff to the region.

“There was an almost instant response and mobilisation of skilled people, from within the region, throughout the South Island, and from as far away as Auckland and the Far North, following the 4 September quake,” Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Controller Bob Upton said today.

“These people have filled a number of essential roles throughout Christchurch City, the Selwyn and Waimakariri Districts, as well as within the Group Emergency Coordination Centre and the National Crisis Management Centre. They have also allowed local people to be rostered off to reduce fatigue and stress associated with their emergency assignments.

“A coordination and rotation service is being managed by the Canterbury Emergency Coordination Centre to make sure that the right people are in the right place at the right time, and that their wellbeing is protected while they are supporting the effected communities.

“The support that these experts, their employers, communities and families are providing is a fantastic service that is gratefully appreciated by all Cantabrians.

“Many New Zealanders may not be aware how well our partner agencies are trained and prepared for major emergencies like earthquakes. Unfortunately, no community has enough qualified emergency managers in times like these. Fortunately, we have a large number of professionals and volunteers throughout the country who know what to do when responding to natural disasters, and for leading the recovery processes that follow, so that communities can return to normal life, as quickly as possible, more resilient than they were before.

“We regularly exercise so that we all understand how our systems and processes work, and that there is a high degree of consistency in how these are delivered.

“Family, friends and employers of our out-of-region helpers can be assured that we are looking after their safety and wellbeing while they’re here,” Bob Upton said.

ENDS

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