Wellington Region taking new approach to Civil Defence & Emergency Management

“We’re taking a new approach to Civil Defence & Emergency Management for the Wellington Region,” Chair of the region’s Civil Defence & Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Joint Committee, Kāpiti Coast Mayor Jenny Rowan said today.

“We’ve considered the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management’s Capability Assessment Report and the lessons of Christchurch and we’re changing the Wellington Region’s approach to civil defence and emergency management.

“Already there’s been consultation with the CDEM staff of the nine councils in the region. Advertising for the role of a Regional Manager / Group Controller for Wellington CDEM is the next step in the process,” she said.

“The role’s been created to lead a unified CDEM structure for the Wellington Region bringing together all the personnel and expertise from the nine Councils into one organisation which can deliver CDEM services in an efficient, effective and coordinated manner.

“The role will report to the Chair of the Wellington Region Coordinating Executive Group, consisting of Chief Executives of the nine councils, the three District Health Boards as well as senior representatives from NZ Police, NZ Fire Service, Wellington Lifelines Group and the Regional Commissioner for the Ministry of Social Development.

“For ease of administration, the Regional Manager will be employed by the Greater Wellington Regional Council.

“The first task will be to carry out a comprehensive review of the existing CDEM arrangements in the region to develop a unified structure for approval and implementation. Once that’s completed then the job will be the overall leadership strategic management and coordination of all CDEM activities and services including, the role of Group Controller in times of emergency.

“We’re looking for a very special person with outstanding leadership skills,” Jenny Rowan said. “It’s probably the most interesting and challenging CDEM role advertised in New Zealand for some time.

“It’s a key role for our region and reaching the point of advertising this role today is the outcome of considerable discussion and debate throughout our region as well as taking on board many of the lessons learned by Civil Defence nationally from the Christchurch earthquake response.
“When The Big One hits the Wellington Region, we believe the moves we’re making today will position Wellington better to manage and recover from that event in a more effective manner,” Jenny Rowan said.

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