1 October 2009

New Zealand provides support to UNDAC (United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination).

Two senior Fire Service staff have been deployed to help with the United Nations relief effort in the Pacific.

Jim Stuart-Black, National Manager Special Operations, flew to Samoa today as part of the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team (UNDAC). He will be helping assess the needs of the country following yesterday's earthquake.

Meanwhile Ian Pickard, Arapawa (Wellington Nelson Marlborough) Fire Region Manager, left earlier in the week for Manila where he is helping the UN following the devastation caused byTropical Storm Ketsana which struck on Saturday

"The Fire Service is pleased to be able to support the international relief effort in these two countries," said Paul McGill, Director Operations and Training.

Members of UNDAC teams are deployed at the request of foreign governments to assist with international coordination, information management, and impact assessments. The New Zealand UNDAC Programme has nine members from various agencies who make themselves available 24/7 for such missions.

New Zealand has also provided a technical support team to support UNDAC with satellite communications, laptops, and other office equipment in Samoa.

Both Ian Pickard and Jim Stuart-Black have carried out UNDAC training and exercises. This is Mr Pickard's first deployment, while Mr Stuart Black's first mission was to Nepal last year to support a response to a major flood.

ENDS

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