Nelson Tasman Emergency Management Group

Local Civil Defence Volunteers recognised tomorrow

More than eight decades of voluntary work for Nelson Tasman Civil Defence will be recognised at a ceremony in Richmond tomorrow. 

Tasman Mayor Richard Kempthorne says our region is lucky to be so well served by Civil Defence volunteers. “Their length and breadth of experience is such a valuable resource. Our region is vast and we need to be able to call on people on the ground with knowledge and expertise when situations arise. It’s wonderful the Ministry can recognise them in this way.”

Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Long Service Awards recognise the contribution of individuals who have volunteered their time and effort to civil defence.  The awards are given for at least ten years CDEM service at local or national level, following nominations by CDEM Groups. In our region the group consists of Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.  The awards will be presented by the Minister of Civil Defence, Hon John Carter.

Between them, the three award recipients have notched up more than 80 years of service to Civil defence.

Nelson Mayor Kerry Marshall says the recent first ever assessment of Civil Defence capability in this region showed we are leading the way with a strong foundation. 

“The Ministry noted the strength of our CDEM Group also lies in competent individuals in key roles, well established networks and a strong sense that members will be able to rely on each other for support if needed. Our volunteers fill an integral  role and the length of service helps build and maintain those relationships” Mr Marshall says.

Award Recipients

 Ed Stevens

Ed has been the Warden for the Motueka River Valley, based at his home at Ngatimoti for the past 34 years. He became involved in Civil Defence during the 1976 flood event in the Motueka River Valley area.  Ed has been the warden in the Ngatimoti area ever since and maintains a VHF radio communication link with others up and down the river valley.  Ed remains an active volunteer and in recent months has been updating civil defence planning for Ngatimoti.

 Ken Simpson

Ken has been involved in Civil Defence for the past 20 years as a volunteer in the Murchison area.  Ken operates both the HF and VHF radio communications in and out of Murchison for both Civil Defence Emergency Management and Land Search and Rescue (LSAR).  Ken forms part of the incident management team at the Murchison Emergency Operations Centre and contributed to the newly completed “Murchison Community Response Plan”  Ken’s radio expertise is also relied on by the West Coast CDEM Group through the communications links he maintains into the Springs Junction area.

 Eric Humphrey

Eric’s connection to Civil Defence dates from 1981.  The Brook Street flood in Nelson City was his first introduction to Civil Defence as a volunteer.  In 1989, Eric took over radio communications for the Nelson Tasman region, becoming CDEM Group Communications Manager (a volunteer role).  During his involvement Eric has further developed the radio systems in the Nelson and Tasman regions. 

This has included providing training, assisting in the maintenance and installation of radios, and responding to emergency events. 

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