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Last modified: 29 Jul 2020 10:35am

Two people in orange high visibility jackets stand behind a silver van with a red a yellow band along the side under the window line. The van is parked in a field of brown tussock at the foot of some mountains with a light dusting of snow on them

We’re recruiting more volunteers to build on the district’s ability to respond to a Civil Defence emergency.

The Selwyn Emergency Management Team is hosting a recruitment evening at the West Melton Community and Recreation Centre on Tuesday 8 October at 7pm.

Civil Defence Manager Al Lawn says the Council is looking to fill roles in all three of its volunteer teams including Response Team, Welfare Team and Community Response Team.

“This latest round of volunteer recruitment will complement the strong base of Civil Defence volunteers who live in the district,” Mr Lawn says. “We’re looking for people to help ensure we can manage a long duration event, such as an earthquake generated by the Alpine Fault, and to help the Selwyn community get through.”

Do you have the skills and time to help your community?

Across Selwyn there are more than 30 Community Response Teams ready to respond in an emergency to support their local area and provide information to the Emergency Operations Centre. Volunteers are required to attend one training session per year.

The Selwyn Response Team, specialised and highly trained in communications, light search and rescue, urban search and rescue, first aid, and cordon control, requires up to another eight members. The response team trains weekly.

The Selwyn Emergency Welfare Team, trained to open and  operate a Civil Defence Centre, and support people who have to evacuate their homes, needs another four volunteers. The Welfare Team trains fortnightly. Volunteer members from each team will be available on the night to answer any questions.

To register your interest in attending the information night please email the civil defence team at civildefence@selwyn.govt.nz by 5pm Friday 4 October.