Student presentation emergency management

A delegation of 29 Utah Valley University students were recently welcomed by Council’s Emergency Management Team to learn about Selwyn’s emergency preparedness. In a presentation at Te Ara Ātea, these students, along with faculty coordinators, gained insights into the region’s emergency readiness and response.

While this was the fourth time this study abroad programme had been brought to New Zealand, it was the first time in Selwyn. The students, pursuing graduate degrees in public administration, emergency services administration and public and community health, found the experience valuable. Jeff Macfield, Professor and Director of Emergency Services at Utah Valley University, organised the programme through former Director of the UC Centre for Risk, Resilience and Renewal, Chris Hawker, eight years ago.

“In Utah, we face very similar challenges, so we wanted to observe how emergencies are handled from an international and local perspective,” said Jeff.

Graduate student in Public Administration, Kaitlynn Knapp said she found it interesting how Selwyn utilise volunteers for maximum efficiency in an emergency response. “The entire population of the county here is less people than the city I live in and so I have been interested to see he way that they have organised it here.”

When the Council was invited to join the programme, Al Lawn, Head of Emergency Management said it presented an opportunity to share ideas globally — an essential component of creating best practice. “No one has the monopoly on good ideas, so to be able to have a face-to-face conversation with others working and learning in this space is fantastic, and helps us to expand our thinking. Everyone has got something to give, and both parties benefit  from the conversation,” said Al.

You can share your knowledge and help your community in an emergency by volunteering with one of Selwyn’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management volunteer teams. If you would like to know more visit selwyn.govt.nz/civildefence

Last modified: 12 Feb 2024 12:52pm