9. JO GOODHEW (National—Rangitata) Link to this
to the Minister of Internal Affairs
What work will the New Zealand urban search and rescue team be carrying out in Japan?
Hon NATHAN GUY (Minister of Internal Affairs) Link to this
I am informed by the New Zealand Fire Service that the New Zealand urban search and rescue team will be working in the town of Minami Sanriku in the Miyagi Prefecture in north-east Japan. This area is one of the most badly affected by the tsunami. The urban search and rescue team’s work will involve identifying the sites most likely to offer potential for finding survivors, undertaking rescue operations, and helping to move survivors to places of safety.
What urban search and rescue capability will remain in New Zealand to deal with another major event?
The team deployed to Japan was in part from each of the three New Zealand urban search and rescue task forces. The Fire Service has advised that each of the three task forces are still able to operate and will backfill vacancies, if needed, from the Fire Service. In the case of a significant disaster event in New Zealand, we would also look to international assistance, as was the case for the 22 February Christchurch earthquake.