Civil Defence honoured for flood response

Civil Defence officials dealing with the aftermath of the March Northland floods have been recognised for their work.

This inaugural 'Organisation of the Year Award' has been given to the Northland's Civil Defence Emergency Management Group by the Palmerston North-based Emergency Management Academy of New Zealand.

The group comprises of six members.

They are an elected representative from each of Northland?s three district councils as well as the Northland Regional Council.

A senior Northland representative from the police and fire service round-out the membership.

Steve Glassey, chief executive of the academy, says the award recognises the group's efforts during major floods.

The academy opened in November 2005 and - in partnership with Tai Poutini Polytechnic - delivers more than 80 courses nationally each year to 1000-plus students in the emergency management and technical rescue fields.

It also provides professional development for the group.

The award is one of four new awards announced recently during the first Tai Poutini Polytechnic emergency management graduation at Palmerston North.

Mr Glassey says, to be eligible for the award, organisations must have a Civil Defence emergency management mandate and have participated in a Tai Poutini Polytechnic and-or an academy training programme to increase their emergency capabilities.

They must also have demonstrated best practice in professional development.

He says, the group - one of four finalists for the award - has done a 'sterling job in picking up and applying the training to an exemplary level'.

Group chairman Peter Jensen says, while the award has been made to the group, he sees it as a wider tribute to the Northland community, which has now dealt with two devastating storms this year.

"Northlanders have shown incredible resilience and a real willingness to go the extra mile for their fellow community members," he says.