Media Release
14 November 2016, 1500

New Zealand Fire Service Urban Search and Rescue Team arrived in Kaikoura

An Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team of 20 people and two dogs deployed from Christchurch and have arrived in Kaikoura following this morning’s earthquake. The team are self-sufficient, carrying out building assessments in support of the local authorities. We have another team of 20 people on standby in Christchurch.

In addition to the Southern USAR team, Central and Northern USAR teams are also assisting. 14 USAR members have deployed from the Central USAR team in Palmerston North to Wellington to assess buildings with Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO). We will be using our drone capability for imaging and provide an update as soon as we can.

Our National Co-Ordination Centre in Wellington continues to support our regional responses, and we are working closely with the National Crisis Management Centre.

We want to thank our people, both career and volunteer, for pulling together to help their communities at this time of need. Keep safe, and look after each other.

To be attributed to Nick Pyatt, Urban Search and Rescue Liaison Officer

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