In New Zealand, local Councils assume emergency management responsibilities and find themselves integral to the response during crises. This requires staff to extend beyond their business-as-usual roles. For staff without the experience of an emergency management background, this can be particularly daunting, especially in high-pressure situations. By addressing gaps in tools, resources, and support, councils can enhance the efficiency of their emergency operations and enable all staff members, regardless of their experience and expertise, to contribute effectively during a crisis.
While local Council staff possess valuable expertise in their respective fields, they may encounter significant challenges due to limited emergency management experience and unfamiliarity with necessary tools.
Drawing from my own experience, working in a smaller Council, I will share the journey we have begun to develop and implement strategies that addressed the challenges faced by our team. Through a process of trial and adaptation, we focused on creating a strong support framework, offering training and engagement that was both accessible, tailored to incorporate our regional hazards, and ensuring staff had the appropriate tools to perform their roles. By emphasising practical, hands-on preparation and fostering a collaborative environment, our approach sought to bridge the gap between specialised expertise and the staff required to respond.
Ultimately, our goal was to equip the broader council team, regardless of their professional background, to engage confidently and effectively in emergency response efforts, while also helping to make staff more comfortable with the tools at their disposal and hopefully alleviating the fear and apprehension often felt in these situations.