Rural Civil Defence unit celebrates first birthday

One of Hastings district’s smallest communities will celebrate the first birthday of its Emergency Management group this weekend.

The Maraekakaho Civil Defence Emergency group has been in place for just over 12 months and now boasts over 30 volunteers. Over half of the group have been trained to staff the Emergency centre and are also proficient in administering first aid. A further ten volunteers have recently completed a certificate in Managing an Emergency Centre.

The Maraekakaho Civil Defence group also covers the nearby areas of Kereru, Raukawa, Torran and Te Onepu and compliments the Rural Fire group which has been in existence since 2008.

Councillor Mick Lester says “Without the commitment of our Civil Defence volunteers, services to the wider community in the event of an emergency would be severely restricted. Volunteers come from all walks of life and fulfill a range of roles during an emergency, including rescue, relief and welfare services. We are extremely grateful to those people in our rural communities who are prepared to devote their time to volunteering for civil defence.”

This weekend’s family fun day includes the opportunity to meet the volunteers, look at new and old fire appliances, celebrate the first birthday with the cutting of a huge birthday cake and access information on how to survive in an emergency.

Hastings District Council’s Emergency Management staff are supporting the family fun day, which will be held at Maraekakaho School from 10am to 2pm on Sunday 19th February.