4 April 2018

Volunteers needed for Community Response Groups

Palmerston North’s Civil Defence Emergency Management team is calling on residents around the city boundary to put up their hands to be part of a vital volunteer disaster recovery force.

Creating, training and supporting Community Response Groups is a key part of Council’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan (CDEM).

Council Emergency Management Officer, Kaye Johnson is organising a series of meetings in Ashhurst, Bunnythorpe, Linton, Longburn, Kairanga, Turitea and Aokautere.

“Communities have many of the skills and resources needed to solve the problems and help each other in an emergency,” Ms Johnsons says. “Building a more resilient and safer New Zealand means ensuring our communities are prepared in the case of a disaster.”

“All ages are welcome to apply; we are recruiting for a variety of roles. Individuals can provide response capability ranging from staffing the emergency operations centre to welfare and first aid within their local community”

Civil Defence emergency responses are co-ordinated by local and regional councils. They draw on the skills and resources of the officers and emergency service personnel.

In an emergency, the Civil Defence Centre activates and the response groups swing into action even before many people are aware there is an issue.

Palmerston North City Council work alongside Horizons Regional Council and Manawatu District Council to respond to a Civil Defence emergency.

Ashhurst community meeting is on April 14 from 1 – 4pm at the Ashhurst Village Valley Centre.

Meeting dates for other villages are to be confirmed.

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