Meet the Team

Paul "KILO" Davenport - Team Leader

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, CIMS Level 4, Rope Responder, Flood Responder

Hello everyone and welcome to the NZ-RT11 site. I have been in Civil Defence since 1999. I was introduced to the Civil Defence as a patient. I was told I had a broken leg and acted that I had a broken leg and for that, I was lowered down a hole in the floor of a balcony.

I have been a team leader since 2002. I first started as TL for the old Hornby CERT and then when three different CERTS amalgamated to cerate NZRT11 I was chosen to be TL of that team. The role of Team Leader is very important to me, but is very easy for me in this team. The support, the openness, and the willingness of my team-mates to learn, makes my role a joy and a pleasure. It is very easy to be enthusiastic when you have people around you who are exactly the same.

I am also an instructor for Emergency Management Training Centre (EMTC) which is based here in Christchurch. I teach General rescue and Triage and I am working to be a fully qualified USAR trainer.

I believe that if you want to contribute to your community, join a Civil Defence team, whether that be in rescue or any other Civil Defence discipline. You will be needed to help your community when they at their lowest, when they need a cup of tea, when they need some help and a person to talk too or when you are there to help them out of there damaged home.

So thanks for visiting our site and I hope to see you on a Civil Defence course soon.

- Cheers KILO

Louis - Deputy Team Leader

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, USAR Instructor, Rope Technician, Flood Responder

Joined cd a while ago (2002). Really enjoy training and working with the team. I have a wife and two children, who are very understanding when I need to be away at training.

I have gone through various courses, including USAR, first-aid, rope technician, just to name a few. So there is a wide scope for things to learn and do.

Over the years I have met a lot of people through Civil Defence and have developed a few freindships along the way. If you are looking for a challenge, like I was, stop looking and join Civil Defence!

Nikole - Deputy Team Leader

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, Swiftwater Technician

Hi, my name's Nikole. I was just looking at our website and saw a very unflattering picture of me on the team page and thought I had better say gidday before Tigger puts any more unflattering portraits of me on display (oh bugger she already has).

Any how, I was listening to the radio one morning and heard a strange noise that got my attention. It said "Do you know what this sound means " and then this noise came out of the radio, you know the one, that real annoying noise. Me being new to Christchurch (we won't mention from where, but let me just say, we have all three shield/cups at the moment hehe) I didn't know what it meant so listened on. "We need volunteers for Civil Defence. Come to an information evening and see what it's all about." So I did and it's the best thing I've ever done.

The skills and self confidence I have gained in the last year are incredible. I have gained some great friends who I trust totally with my life - and there's not many people you can say that about. I thank each and everyone of you for your help, patience and guidance and look forward to many more rewarding years with you.

Oh by the way that noise meant BUGGER!, there's been a Civil Defence Emergency declared. If you don't know what the sound is maybe you should ring Civil Defence up and find out more. It could be the best thing you've ever done.

Corey

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Technician

I have been right the way through the Scout Movement and I am starting to get past my used by date so I decided that a change was in store. I found out about the USAR training at a company picnic that was run just across the road. Put my name down to do the Course. And wow loads of fun. I got to play with loads of great gear and work with some really great and interesting people from every walk of life. Now I'm with NZRT-11 and loving it.

Jan

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, Rope Responder, Flood Responder, Storm Responder

I was looking for something to challenge myself, learn new things, meet new people and have fun.

I have learnt that amazing things can be done with a ladder, ropes and teamwork. I’m terrified of heights but abseiled 18 floors, to have my feet on the ground again. Yahoo!

I’m a certified general rescue instructor and also a section leader within RT11. Being a member of RT11 I found everything I was looking for and more.

It is a load of fun with a serious side.
I am proud to be a member of this team.

Lisa

Qualifications: Medic, Rope Responder

Hey there, Lisa here. Well I have been in the rescue team now just on one year. In that year have achieved so much.

Overcoming my fears has been a big part of it. Being in the rescue team has taught me heaps, working as a team and overcoming some things that life just chucks at you. It has taught me its healthy to have fear, as it keeps you safe, so long as you wear it on your shoulder and not let it consume you as I use to!

I love the outdoors, anything to do with water. Life is here for living and I try to make the most of it! Rescue has taught to have greater faith in myself, and that of the systems we use to help others. It has taught me it's OK to put my life in my team's hands, and trust is a big part of that.

I have a wee boy at home, so when I'm not out training, I'm out having fun with him. Between the two parts I play, my life is full of fun, adventure and heaps of learning, and I LOVE IT!

Might just catch you around on day

Deb "Tigger"

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, USAR Instructor, Assessor, CIMS Level 4, Rope Responder

Hi I'm Deb, or Tigger as we have two Deb's. I joined up in 2001 because I want to be involved when big things happen and I want to make a difference in my community. I've learnt so much since joining up, and I've been able to apply some of what we learn together to my regular life - great!

I'm a rescue instructor and also the team's Training Manager. The latter is a huge time commitment, as it involves making sure the team's training is meeting requirements and we have people to take the trainings each week.

Being a part of this team has been great. I've made some great friends, and I have a lot of people that I would now trust my life to - and sometimes do! Although it's about practicing for a 'what if' that may never happen, it's a good way to give back to the community, to satisfy that sense of social responsibility many of us have - while having fun!
:)

Julian

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Gerneral Rescue Instructor, Swiftwater Technician, Rope Responder, Flood Responder

I joined up back in 2001 (I think), in the time I've been in rescue I've had to admit, I've seen some pretty major changes. Things always change here, with new courses to do & new chalanges to meet every day.

Vaughan

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Swiftwater Technician, CIMS Level 4, Rope Responder, Flood Responder

Hi, I had always wondered what was behind the Civil Defence page in the back of the phone book and wanted to do something community oriented, so I joined Civil Defence after doing an Introduction Course in May 2002.

Another reason for joining was to have an interest other than work and home and I wanted this interest to have challenges and be enjoyable. Challenges I have had I, like anyone have fears of drowning and heights, but floating down the fast flowing Hurunui River as part of a swift water course soon put paid to any fears of drowning as I swam for dear life to reach the bank.

Likewise absailing 30 metres down the side of Woolston Fire Tower soon puts paid to any fear of heights. But what a buzz they both were. Things I would never have achieved otherwise.

My wife Debbie and daughter Simone have also helped out as casualties. I look forward to many more years as a member of this team; it?s one of the best things I've ever done.

Ricky

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Responder

Ricky has yet to write his own profile. He's a good solid bloke, very dependable and lots of fun once you break through the quiet exterior. - Tig

Steve

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, CIMS Level 4, Rope Responder

I have been involved with Civil Defence since 1992, mostly at a Regional and Area HQ level providing Communications support. I become more involved in CD after retraining under the new training scheme in 2004-2005 getting my Responder certificate and going on to do General, USAR, and Advanced Rescue courses. During this time I became a member of RMT (now in recess) to provide IMT assistance for the Response Teams. Doing the Rescue training was intended to give a good idea of what the teams were about so that the 'management team' knew how the Response Teams worked. When RMT went into recess, due to a lack of new members, I became a probationary member of RT-11 to keep up my Rescue skills, and was accepted as a full member at the start of 2007, hence getting a bit more practice at hands on Rescue elements than expected. (What happened to that cushy HQ number :)

I am also heavily involved with the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Group, Land Search and Rescue, and Scouting. I work in IT as a consultant/contractor and as a trainer with SARINZ for technology courses for IMT members in Search and Rescue.

Recently I become a member of the NZ Red Cross coordinated Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit for Red Cross Federation covering ICT support to Red Cross Societies in the Pacific in times of Disaster.

I find that being part of the team is great fun and another way to give to the community and help others in a potential time of need, when the big one happens.

Pip

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Flood Responder

I joined Civil Defence in Oct '05 as I wanted to be prepared and connected to the local infrastructure if a major emergency was called in Canterbury and I could assist.

I returned to NZ in 2001 having previously worked overseas. For the last two years of that time I was involved with Emergency Crisis and relief for a Swiss organization called “Medair”. I was privileged to have assisted in relief efforts in the Kosovo refugee crisis in 1999 and in Mozambique floods in 2000. Although once an RN, I now work for a Medical company and travel a bit with my job but the team is understanding of this of which I am grateful.

Joining RT11 has been fun with some very dedicated team members who look out for each other and I would trust them with my life. I never started out in Civil Defense to go onto rescue, but I just kept going and as Julian has said, there are lots of great courses and training available. So don’t hesitate, come join us!! :-)

Justin

Qualifications: Rope Responder, Flood Responder, Storm Responder

Hi I'm Justin. I have been in NZRT-11 since 2007 but have been involved with Civil Defence since 1997 in Rotorua. Civil Defence is a Passion and a Hobby for me.

I have been involved with different declared and non declared emergencies including Ruapehu Eruptions in 1997, Declared Flooding in 1999 as part of the Emergency Operations Centre for Rotorua. Deciding to take a step back from EOC in 2004 and challenge myself I decided to retrain as in the Rescue Team ending up as Team Leader and communications manager of NZ-RT15 in 2006. As a rescue team we were deployed for the flooding in 2004 in Turangi and Matata in 2005.

The flooding in 2005 where RT15 was deployed to Matata at midnight defiantly puts you in a different comfort zone than any other emergencies I have been involved in. Even though we were only there for a short time it made me realise that the calling of rescue and Civil Defence would be in my life for a very long time, also makes you think in a totally different way and respect the powers of nature.

I moved down to Christchurch and decided to join NZRT-11 as I knew Kilo from running the Response Team Forums @ www.nzrt.org (Free Plug for the site). Now being down here I¡¦ve gained Flood Response and also Rope Responder and finally have some tall buildings I can descend down. Who knows what the future holds for New Zealand in Disasters, but we all need to think about being prepared for the worst.

Jason

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Responder

Nic

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Responder, Storm Responder

Hey everyone, I'm Nic. NZRT11 - 32 - That's right - Shaquille O'Neal's number. :) I work in the Corporate world, in my spare time race my Nissan on the Ruapuna circuit or on gravel, being a good Christian, going to church, spend time fixing my Nissan from racing it on gravel, and for the rest of it - dedicate it to Civil Defence Rescue.

Well I originally started doing Civil Defence rescue accidentally back many years ago being a 18 year old pain in the need of rescue at QE2 during my times as a Cadet at 17 Sqn ATC on a practice night. Was great fun too.

However a few years later after I finished at Cadets, I helped out a few CD Pandora events as a driver of the vans since my best mate's Mom was an Area Warden during that time.

Maybe cos how cool Bruce Willis was during Armageddon that I joined Civil Defence and ended up in the Entry to Rescue programme. Since then I did the USAR course and Rope Responder course, and have since been involved as a member of NZRT11, either being the guy who happily likes jumping off stuff attached only to a rope or 2 or the guy that's tall so he's good for bracing ladders and helping people up walls before having to work out a way to get up there himself.

Even though as one of the jokers of the outfit, I fully enjoy being a member of NZRT11 and recommend the experience and value you get from being part of the rescue system to anyone.

I'd happily go into battle (err rescue) with those in my team anyday, being the professional, dedicated yet fun loving bunch of people I get to work around. Fully worth the time due to not only the people I'm around, but the reason we train together.

Paul C.

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Responder

Sharon

Qualifications: USAR CAT1-R, Rope Responder, Flood Responder

Who am I?
Job: graphic designer (and studying to be an information designer)
Status: looking at buying a house with my other-half

How do I get my kicks?
jogging - aiming to do half-marathon this year (although I did say that last year)
community garden volunteer – great way to garden as there’s other volunteers to share the load and also get to take home real fresh food
yoga – that’s power yoga, relaxing in a painful kind of way
public speaking – attend a regular toastmasters club to get over my fear
garage sale bargain hunter
reading scifi novels

Why am I here?
I joined Civil Defence to do something worthwhile, as I was feeling unsatisfied in my job. There’s plenty to do in Civil Defence but I chose rescue work as this involves being out and about rather being stuck behind a desk (I’m in front of a computer all day at work). Now I feel I contribute to the community and have a sense of purpose. Also, with the human species screwing up the planet on a grand scale (pollution, genetic engineering, global warming) NZ is likely to face some kind of disaster at some point.

What keeps me going to the weekly trainings?
RT11 is made up of a diverse bunch of people, of various ages, backgrounds and experiences. I reckon it’s this diversity that makes it a fun group to be in.

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