The Response Team NZ-RT20
Exercise “Tempest”, Christchurch 2023, was attended by all ten South Island Response Teams, including Marlborough. With 130 responders and 170 role playing casualties, It involved search and rescue exercises from ground-based rescue to high angle rope rescue
NZ Response Team – Marlborough (NZ-RT20)
The Marlborough Response team was established in 2013 with the aim of providing a well-trained, well equipped and coordinated group to further enhance the response capabilities for Marlborough and to assist neighbouring districts if requested.
In 2022 the team was accredited with official status as a nationally qualified and recognised response team by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). They were awarded the national registration number NZ-RT20, at that time the second only team nationwide.
NZ-RT20’s prime focus is a local response, but the team can be deployed to assist in other districts nationally.
The team has undertaken training exercises in Nelson, Kaikoura and Christchurch with other South Island Response Teams. They were deployed to Nelson and the Westcoast in response to weather events, but also to Auckland’s anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bay.
Roles of the team may include but not limited to:
- Surface based search and rescue
- Rope rescue from heights
- Medical casualty evacuations
- Disaster area reconnaissance
- Evacuation alerts and security
- Setting up emergency radio communication
- Assisting emergency services, e.g. Police, Ambulance, Fire
- First Aid
- Severe weather response
- Cordon and traffic control
- Protecting and securing buildings
- Setting up and running emergency evacuation centres
Core Skills Knowledge
Team members obtain core skills and gain knowledge to perform their functions safely and efficiently. The following courses are available to them (but not limited to!):
- First Aid
- Psychological First Aid
- Storm Response
- Flood Response
- 4WD training
- Working with Helicopters
- Rope rescue
- USAR support & light rescue
- Rapid disaster assessment
Courses and skills achieved can provide NZQA qualifications
The team is fully provided with Personal Protection Equipment
Team Resources
When deployed, the team is self-sufficient for up to 72 hours. This includes PPE, accommodation, equipment, transport, fuel, catering, sanitation and communications.
Team Structure
The Team Leader group comprises of a Team Manager, Team Leader, two Deputy Team Leaders and 5 Squad Leaders to oversee the training structure. The group are rostered for training responsibilities and “on duty” roles in an event.
What We Need From You is to…
- get involved
- learn and develop
- trust your team and let them trust you
- Have a reasonable level of physical aptitude
How Often We Train
The Response Team trains once a week, Thursdays from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm.
If this sounds like you, please contact Gary Spence 021 220 4612 or gary.spence@marlborough.govt.nz
