This message has been posted on the website and sent to all LandSAR registered membership email addresses as it is important that all our members understand the situation as it stands in Christchurch. It is also important that emails and phone calls are only made when required as you can appreciate that the management of such an emergency is now on a huge and almost unprecedented scale.
It is important for everyone to understand that LandSAR volunteers have not been forgotten. Far from it. We are in regular contact with the Civil Defence operational management and their need articulated to date in Chch is for specialist industrial urban search and rescue people, most commonly known as USAR. Although we have four general groups that I know of on the ground, they are there in direct support and control of CD and USAR team leaders. Our numbers on the ground may increase in the coming days but any request for Group support will come through CD or the Police, who are well aware of the skills LandSAR volunteers bring to the operation.
If you or your Group has specialist expertise beyond that normally associated with LandSAR then I suggest you email that information to the CD operational management at emergency.management@dia.govt.nz or if you wish to ring CD with any information then you can call them direct at: 0800 779997
I hope that gives everyone a little insight and update into our involvement now and in the future with the tragedy that is unfolding in Christchurch.
Hadyn Smith, Chief Executive |