Clockwise – Ady Cole-Ewen, Linda Cholmondeley-Smith, Gary and Maureen, of Greypower; Annette and Paku,TCDC Resilience Team;
Rob of CFM interviews Hannah and Dirk
It was advertised as a Road Show – people could encounter the different aspects of Civil Defense and Emergency Management, meet the people involved, enjoy some fun quizzes and competition related to civil defense and understand more about how it all connected locally.
It was that and more – like a fair or Saturday markets except you didn’t need to buy things. You could meet people directly involved in Emergency Management, share your vision or dream for the future of your community and have it illustrated on a community board.
Amy, Emergency Services;
and Shane Bromley, FENZ with Layla.
Filipino dancers
Lisa on the photo team;
At each station, a person was available to answer questions, explain their work and their own journey of becoming involved. It was a revelation of the many layers of organizational involvement when an emergency strikes, Andrea Williams Co-Ordinator of the Resilience team and Brian Carter, Civil Defense and Emergency Manager, TCDC and played key roles in the setting up of this Expo. Shane Bromley, Director of FENZ for the Coromandel had a strong team of volunteers present. Their stories as to how they became passionate and involved in FENZ and emergency support were inspiring.
Rob of CFM hosted the event which commenced at 10.00am concluding at 1.00pm. He conducted an interview with Hannah of Rural Support who explained her role in emergencies and with Dirk Sieling, local owner and farmer who related how he dealt with the emergency caused by two large slips on his land during the recent extreme storm events.
Grey Power was there fulfilling a different role. Linda Cholmondeley-Smith’s team are connecting the large number of senior citizens in our area as to who and what and is available for them when there is a storm event or emergency. Linda believes that there needs to be an allocated community building for people to go to in times of emergency. The event provided food for everyone – the perfect burger from Loaded Fries and out at the Crossroads Church entrance, a sausage sizzle served by our elected local representatives stood aside the large local fire brigade unit.
The event was well organised, with a range of creative attractions and competitions for children and young people. Well done to Andrea of TCDC. However, public attendance was low, suggesting that broader and more varied promotion was needed.
