University Emergency Response Team

The Victoria University of Wellington Emergency Response Team provides light rescue and emergency response services to the University and wider community.

The team is made up of staff and student volunteers who train regularly to be able to respond to major incidents affecting the University and wider community, when other emergency services are stretched or unavailable.

Training focuses on providing the following services during a major incident:

• reconnaissance and survey of affected areas
• disaster surface search and rescue (light rescue)
• first aid and mass casualty triage
• liaison and radio communication links with University building cluster groups
• assistance to emergency services
• welfare services to the community.

Training

We usually run recruitment in February to March each year, this was postponed to July for 2022. We hold a few open training sessions to allow prospective members to to see if it's for them, before inviting formal applications to join the team.

Regular training takes place weekly during the academic terms on Monday nights from 5.30pm–7.30pm. There are also formal training courses on weekends from time to time to gain qualifications in subjects such as first aid and general rescue.

No previous experience is necessary, but we look for people who work well in a team, are willing to learn, and are committed to attending training. All training and relevant equipment is provided.

If you're keen to join the University's emergency response team, register your interest or contact safety@vuw.ac.nz

For staff who aren't keen to commit to regular training, other opportunities to participate in emergency response at the University can be found on the staff intranet.