8 March 2018

Japanese Emergency Management Specialist to visit Palmerston North

International relationships with Japanese city, Mihara will be further strengthened following an exchange with one of their emergency management specialists.

Palmerston North City Council will host Mihara City Council’s Superintendent of Emergency Management, Shogo Kosako next week to share knowledge around Civil Defence.

Mr Kosako will meet with Council’s Emergency Management team and visit various sites, including the Manawatu River, Turitea Dam and stopbanks at Flygers Line spill way during his week-long exchange.

“Our team is eager to learn and share about community engagement and how our city can be better prepared to cope with emergencies,” Head of Emergency Management Stewart Davies says.

With geographical similarities, the exchange creates a platform to share expertise and further Civil Defence learnings between the cities.

“In an effort to make our cities safer and more resilient, the exchange is hoped to strengthen our capabilities across the board in disaster preparedness, management and response.”

Palmerston North City Council has been exploring several areas of cooperation with Mihara, located in Japan’s Hiroshima Prefecture. International education, business and emergency management were highlighted as promising areas of mutual benefit during Mayor Grant Smith’s first visit to Mihara in July 2017.

“Through international partnerships, we have the opportunity to share valuable knowledge and insight in areas that are important to both cities. Emergency management is one such area that supports our city’s relationship with Japan.” International Relations Manager Toni Grace says.

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