Civil Defence Centre Volunteers

Be Ready. Be Prepared. Be the Help Our Community Needs.

Commitment:

Initial 2-hour training with optional refresher sessions. No regular meetings required. During emergency events, volunteers give what they are able - this could range from 4 hours to day or night shifts over several weeks - depending on the event. There may be annual exercises that volunteers can choose to participate in.

About Civil Defence Centres

When disaster strikes, communities come together. Marlborough Emergency Management operates Civil Defence Centres (CDCs) in urban areas like Blenheim, Picton, and Renwick to support evacuated residents and affected visitors during emergencies.

Volunteers help by giving and receiving crucial information, connecting people to emergency accommodation or goods, and sometimes just being a good listener. Volunteers are called upon when an event is expected (such as severe weather) or after a sudden onset event (such as an earthquake).

Volunteer Roles

Reception / Information Welcoming people, identifying immediate needs and - if required - triaging visitors and passing information onto the Needs Assessment Team or First Aid. Give information to the public, receive information to pass on to the ECC. Induct visitors on evacuation procedures (Health & Safety briefing).

First Aider Provide first aid for minor injuries. Requires current first aid certificate.

Roaming Concierge Provides mobile pastoral care throughout the CDC, moving among evacuees to offer friendly check-ins, basic assistance, and guidance to appropriate services or locations. This role creates a calm and caring environment during emergency response operations.

Admin Support Helps the Needs Assessment Team by taking notes during discussions, passing collected information to the Welfare Team, and storing information in line with the Privacy Act.

Opportunities to Upskill

After completing the initial training, volunteers can choose to upskill further by becoming a Needs Assessor, a CDC team leader or by joining the IMT Welfare Team.

Training

MEM offers a two-hour training session to gain practical knowledge to hit the ground running. Training usually takes place at the Emergency Coordination Centre, 4 Wither Rd, Blenheim. Volunteers will then need to be police vetted.

This is perfect for:

Community-minded volunteers ready to make a real difference
People who want to contribute meaningfully during a crisis
Anyone who believes in being prepared, not scared

No previous emergency management experience required.

Because when the unexpected happens, it's not just about having a plan - it's about having people who know how to put that plan into action.

Contact: Kaja Mazzotti-Vetter at kaja.mazzotti-vetter@marlborough.govt.nz