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The team exist to support communities in times of emergencies and disasters
The team exist to support communities in times of emergencies and disasters
Training night at a local outdoor location
Background
Background
The team was established in 1984 as the Waitakere Initial Response Unit, as a light urban search and rescue team under the Waitakere City Council to support other local emergency services.
The team was officially registered as a national response team - New Zealand Response Team 3 (NZ-RT3) on 3 November 2003 to undertake light urban search and rescue (USAR) activities across the country, assisting the heavy USAR teams.
The Waitakere City Community Rescue Trust was registered as a Charitable Trust on 30 May 2007 to support the team and its members. Community organizations such as The Trusts had previously supported the team in funding.
As part of the local government amalgamation, the team is now funded and managed by Auckland Emergency Management in Auckland Council. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) helps coordinate the Response Teams nationally which are generally managed by local civil defence organizations.
Training for the team is held every Tuesday night at the Henderson base, which includes theory and practical applications of relevant skills to keep current on competencies. Additionally all team members undertake formal training and certification to ensure the team meets the national standards required by NEMA for accreditation and registration.
Members are trained in various aspects including specialist strands such as:
Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS)
Risk Management
Traffic Control
Vehicle Recovery
Chainsaw Operation
Flood Rescue
Evacuation and medical triage
Mass casualty incidents
Working at Heights
Rope Responder Rescue
Portable Pumps Operation
Helicopter Support
4 Wheel Driving
Urban Search and Rescue
Health and Safety
Pre Hospital Emergency Care
Comprehensive First Aid
Radio Communications
Emergency Response Driver
Land Search and Rescue
Storm Response
Stress Management
Personal Fire Safety
Meet the lead team
Meet the lead team
We have a team leader and two deputy team leaders, each able to lead a team by themselves. Our team of more than 15 members is made up of people from all walks of life and we all work very well together. Team member professions range from rope experts, builders, electricians to nurses and office workers. The training we do together and the friendship bond we form with each other helps when out in the field, as you always know that someone has your back when needed and we complement each other to complete any taskings we are given. We acknowledge each other's efforts and celebrate as a team for the voluntary hours we put in year on year.
Logan Matheson
Team Leader
Conway Carrick
Deputy Team Leader
Rob Owens
Deputy Team Leader
Owen Frentz
Senior Responder
Our Responders
Our Responders
Our team comprises people from many different backgrounds, experiences, and interests. What unites us at RT3 is that we are all working towards the same RT3 team values of Honour, Duty, and Courage. We also abide by the NZRT Code of Conduct and align to the NZRT values.
We are proud of our team as we continuously work to demonstrate these qualities:
Mental strength: Our mental power, or emotional resilience, reflects how effectively we deal with challenges, pressures and stressors and exhibit calm when the going gets tough.
Drive, energy, and a can-do attitude: The right attitude is essential as we need to rise to the challenge, focus on getting results and desire to get stuck in, find solutions and get our hands dirty!
Team players with excellent communication skills: We work and lead people in times of need. Doing this well requires working together, showing leadership and excellent communication skills. We listen effectively so we can accurately pass the information on and clearly articulate ourselves when others are distressed.
Physical fitness: We uphold a healthy lifestyle and work to maintain good physical fitness and strength.
The New Zealand Response Team Vision and Values
The New Zealand Response Team Vision and Values
NZRT Vision: Teams of volunteers resourced, enabled and empowered to serve their communities in times of need.
NZRT Values:
Tuwhera me te kanorau (We are inclusive and diverse): We are representative of the communities we serve.
Tūhonohono (We are connected): We work together collectively towards a common purpose.
Whakakoha (We are respectful): We treat everyone with the same kindness and respect.
Pono (We are trustworthy): We take responsibility and act with integrity and honesty.
25 Years Commemoration (1984-2009)
25 Years Commemoration (1984-2009)
Registration of NZ-RT3 (2003)
Registration of NZ-RT3 (2003)
Team Logo History
Team Logo History
From left to right:
The team was established as a Civil Defence Initial Response Unit under the Waitakere City Council in 1984 with the first team logo seen on the arm of responders.
The middle logo was updated when we registered as NZ-RT3 to reflect the support for the Auckland region, with 250 representing the approximate angle from the Sky Tower. A.L.E.R.T was used to abbreviate Auckland Local Emergency Response Team. This logo brandished the values of the team (Honour, Duty, Courage) as well as the Reef knot to show unity and coming togetherness to support the community.
The right logo refresh in 2022 represents the current team in a local capacity. The shape, name, motto was retained but now has included the concept to utilises multiple arrows to suggest the idea of unity and clear approach within the team, with the ability to rapidly respond to any given situation.
Strong use of light and dark colours was to project a modern and fresh look and feel, that aligns with the national response team colours. The strategic use of white helps to clearly indicate the team location from Auckland when deployed nationally.
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