Our role as a Council is not just about keeping services, roads and pipes in order – many of our staff are also on hand to help when the worst side of mother nature comes knocking.
In recent years, the Emergency Operations Centre in Richmond has seen multiple small-scale activations as well as the larger responses to the August 2022 floods and landslides, the Pigeon Valley fires, and ex-Cyclone Gita/Fehi.
In close collaboration with Nelson City Council, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) and local agencies, a willing and capable group of people from various backgrounds and skillsets are utilised.
From welfare and logistics to gathering intelligence and providing public communications, there are some long days and extra effort required to ensure our communities are kept informed and safe during these difficult times.
Sometimes this can extend for a number of weeks, meaning a longer commitment to ensure things are resolved in the areas affected.
Our Council Hydrology team are often the first to raise awareness of a situation, keeping an eye on the weather and providing the first indication of any severe weather event, allowing staff to prepare and inform the public in liaison with the local CDEM team.
As well as those who volunteer for shifts during emergency events and in the recovery phases, we also have some in our organisation who are active members of The Nelson Tasman Emergency Response Team, known as NZ-RT2. This is the operational arm of the Nelson Tasman CDEM. While specialising in urban search and rescue work, the team has a role in all types of civil defence emergencies, including collapsed buildings, landslides and floods.
If you would like to get involved and help your community, contact info@ntem.govt.nz to find out about our community emergency preparedness planning.