Group to give crisis planning advice

THE first local advisory committee for Fire and Emergency New Zealand held its inaugural meeting in Dunedin last week.

The Otago committee was created to provide independent advice from a local perspective about emergency planning, as it expects to face a growing range of challenges with emergency preparation, response and recovery over the coming years.

Members will work closely with a wide range of people to do this, including the local

Fenz management team.

Otago local advisory committee chairman Brenden Winder said the first facetoface meetings on October 8 and 9 were a tangible step forward for the committee and Fenz.

‘‘It was great to have the committee together and meet members of the Fire and Emergency regional and local advisory committee team.

‘‘We covered a lot of ground and were able to more closely pinpoint who our main community contacts in Otago will be and who we will be engaging with to help us form our advice.’’

Fenz region manager Mike

Grant said it was great to be part of the first meetings.

‘‘We look forward to working closely with our committee to build a common understanding of Otago’s needs and considering how we address these at a local level.

‘‘The work of the local advisory committee will also strengthen connections between Fire and Emergency and our communities in the area.’’

Otago is one of seven regions establishing the committees.

Wider local advisory committee community engagement is expected to begin early next year.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED First step . . . At the inaugural meeting of the Otago local advisory committee at Orokonui Ecosanctuary are (from left) Neil Gillespie, Megan McPherson, Des Minehan, Michelle TaiaroaMcDonald, Hilary McNab, Mandy MayhemBullock and chairman Brenden Winder. Absent are deputy chairwoman Helen Algar and Aaron Fleming.