FAQ

x
Who can join NZ USAR and how?
Rescue involves the contribution of people in different roles and at different levels - refer to the USAR Training Index.

Participation is both at the local level as part of Regional Response Teams, which provide the first response to a structural collapse and effect most of the rescues on the periphery of the site.

Participation is also at the national Taskforce level, as part of a rapid-response national resource of specially trained and equipped personnel for the more technical structural collapse rescue work.

Participation is open to all emergency services personnel (civil defence volunteers, fire, police, ambulance), as well as medics, engineers and search dog handlers. Other people are needed for logistical and communications roles.

Enquiries about how to join can be made through the Contact people.

I can't join USAR, but how can I support its work?
By gaining awareness of the programme through USAR Awareness training, a one day module which can be undertaken as a self-study exercise on CD-Rom. This helps you to become more knowledgeable and able to assist in your community when an event occurs.

USAR is insufficiently funded to achieve its objectives in the short term. Any enquiries about sponsorship can be made with the Steering Committee.

Who's in charge of USAR?
A number of organisations are involved, with no one organisation "in charge". A multi-agency national Steering Committee, with representatives from the key agencies manages the development and support of NZ's USAR capacity.

Refer to NZ USAR Structure.

What are New Zealand's current capabilities?
NZ is still developing its development of this capability. The Steering Committee has recommended a minimum capability (refer Reports and Links Index) and is working towards building this. Two thirds of the national taskforce capability (a current total of some 60 persons) is trained. One of the three teams making up the national taskforce is fully equipped.

Regional Response teams are active in some regions, but not in others. In some regions they are single teams not effectively connected into the overall programme and in others they are coordinated under a local government auspice. Their level of training is variable. The Steering Committee's commitment over 2002/2003 is to improve this capability through the provision of promotion and training for interested people.

Where does NZ USAR funding come from?
Presently it comes from two agencies, NZ Fire Service and the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management. Other agencies provide resources through the commitment of staff, for example, local government, ambulance, defence. The funding base for USAR is precarious and the Steering Committee is working to improve this situation.

What sorts of disasters are most likely for New Zealand?
New Zealand's emergency management agencies have to cope with the challenges posed by a broad range of natural and technological hazards. Flooding is New Zealand's most costly natural hazard, causing an average NZ$125 Million damage per year (Ministry for the Environment, The State of New Zealand's Environment, Govt Press NZ, 1997 (Ch7.16) Potentially the most dangerous natural hazards are earthquakes, especially for large urban centres such as Wellington and Christchurch. The most underrated natural threat for northern regions comes from volcanic eruption. Exposure to technological and other human-made hazards - such as the 1998 Auckland power crisis - is increasing as growing urban populations put pressure on infrastructure, and levels of technology become ever more complex.

With respect to structural damage requiring rescue activity, landslides, slips and subsidence are relatively common causes of single site collapses in addition to building collapses during construction. Earthquake, however, is considered New Zealand's most likely cause of a future large-scale emergency.
Further information can be found on NZ's risk profile.

How can I prepare my home, business or children for a disaster?
Refer to your yellow pages, or contact your local civil defence emergency management office within your local council.

If there was a major disaster in New Zealand, where would I go for information?
Information would be given through the media. In addition, you can go to the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management's website, www.civildefence.govt.nz.