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Disaster Welfare and Support Team (Queenstown Lakes)

Organisation:

New Zealand Red Cross

Category:

Social Support

Hours:

Both/Flexible

Locations:

Queenstown

The New Zealand Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilising the power of humanity and enhancing community resilience, whether they're helping people in New Zealand communities or providing urgent relief in an international disaster. The Disaster Welfare and Support Team (DWST) deliver essential services during and immediately following a disaster. In Queenstown Lakes District this team is made up of highly committed, multi-skilled emergency service volunteers with a variety of professional backgrounds.

This role would suit individuals who are:

  • Interested in Disaster Response or Emergency Preparedness
  • Motivated to respond to emergencies locally
  • If needed, able to travel throughout New Zealand to support other Red Cross teams

You will train in a variety of skills and participate in many development opportunities including:

  • comprehensive and psychological-first aid
  • personal preparedness
  • radio communications
  • driving the Disaster Welfare Support vehicles
  • ground-based rescue

Response tasks may include:

  • welfare support
  • community needs assessments
  • first aid
  • reconnaissance
  • ground-based rescue
  • casualty handling

The role is a great opportunity to develop your own skills and also give back to the community in a time of high need.

Requirements

  • Good level of fitness.
  • Reliable, committed to attending training sessions and event support for at least one year
  • Demonstrate a commitment to meet the needs of those requiring assistance
  • Have the ability to work with a diverse range of people.
  • Be able to maintain good spirits, even in adverse working conditions.
  • Commit to the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
  • Ability to deploy for up to 5 days with potential travel days added either side, when responding to emergency events.
  • Preferred driver's license.
  • Aged 18+ (or at least 16 years old with parental consent and restrictions on deployment).

A Police background check is required for this role.

Time commitment

  • Attend fortnightly training on a Tuesday evening.
  • Some weekend volunteering opportunities on occasion with supporting community events or joint training exercises.

Please note - you need to be available to deploy for periods of up to five days (excluding travel days) when responding to emergency events. Many volunteers have full-time or part-time jobs and work out an arrangement to support their volunteer work and remain flexible when emergencies occur. Often employers see value in the training the team members receive and proudly support their staff involved in DWST.

Getting started

The first step is to express your interest by filling out the form below. We will then put you in touch directly with the organisation for more information on the role and how to proceed.

Ref: 2328


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