Are You Good In An Emergency?
Wednesday 16 May 2012, 12:00PM
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If you’ve been thinking about becoming a Civil Defence volunteer but haven’t quite got around to it, now’s your chance. Napier Civil Defence is recruiting new volunteers this month in their one-off intake for 2012.
Civil Defence volunteers play a vital role in assisting the Napier community during an emergency response. As well as the satisfaction of being able to make a valuable contribution to the community, volunteers also acquire skills that they can take into the workplace or other volunteer organisations.
Napier Civil Defence volunteers currently specialise in welfare response, which includes managing welfare centres, registering people displaced from their homes and coordinating alternative accommodation and not to forget the welfare of their beloved pets! Napier Civil Defence Manager, Angela Reade, says things will get even more exciting in the coming months as she appoints a communications and IT response team to operate the recently acquired communications trailer.
“This team is responsible for the deployment of the satellite communications trailer and the set up of telephone, radio and internet solutions during an emergency event,” Angela says. “It is a very specialist team who need to understand technology and develop solutions to ensure resilient communications, ensuring an effective response when needed most. It’s very exciting.”
Whatever their role, all Napier Civil Defence volunteers are required to complete a minimum of six sessions a year by attending group meetings, workshops, training activities and exercises.
Training is held on the first Monday or Tuesday of each month, from 7-9pm. All training, resources and personal protective equipment (PPE) are provided at no cost to volunteers. Being a Napier Civil Defence volunteer, you will have the opportunity to obtain the Napier City Council Certificate in Emergency Management Core Knowledge which consists of a number of NZQA Unit Standards and work alongside other organisations such as the NZ Fire Service, Police, St John, NZ Red Cross, Salvation Army, church groups and service clubs.
“We really value our volunteers and do our utmost to help them up-skill in every way possible. We also celebrate the volunteers’ contribution at an annual awards ceremony and team building day. We have a jam-packed calendar of fun!” If you are interested in becoming a Napier Civil Defence volunteer please contact Napier Civil Defence on 835 7579 for an information pack and application form. Applications close on Tuesday, 5 June 2012.