Join the Selwyn Emergency Support Team
Selwyn District Council media release: 22nd April 2024
You’re sitting at home on a Monday evening, maybe you’re watching TV to pass the time or thinking how can I be more involved in the Selwyn community?
Claire Patterson recalls this was her typical Monday night, before she started volunteering for the Selwyn Emergency Support Team (SEST).
Claire joined SEST in April last year and says there are so many benefits to volunteering as a member and she is always learning something new; from learning transferrable workplace skills, to using radio communications, running through mini emergency scenario exercises, and becoming first aid certified.
Claire is living her passion for helping people to help themselves, every time she attends an event in Selwyn with SEST, sharing messages to the public about emergency preparedness.
Being new to the Selwyn district, Claire really wanted to get involved with the community and connect with likeminded people from all sorts of different backgrounds.
“What I love about it is everyone has different backgrounds. You’ll just never know who you’ll meet and it’s all about being a part of a team, it’s fantastic.”
Having worked in aviation and been trained in emergency procedures, Claire is grateful she can continue her passion for emergency management.
Claire says no matter your background, where you’ve come from or how old you are, the Selwyn Emergency Support Team will welcome you as a volunteer, because everyone has something to give in this space.
“Our country is built on volunteers. As human beings we all want a purpose, we all want to feel like we are contributing, and we all want to feel needed.
You feel a sense of community immediately amongst the group of us. I’ve made some amazing friends out of it too.
And seeing our team members at the Port Hills Fire Cordon, made me feel so proud to be a part of such a fantastic community group.”
Are you keen to join the SEST team?
Come along to the SEST information night to find out more about the Selwyn Emergency Support Team.
Date: Monday 13th May 2024.
Time: 7 to 8pm.
Location: Selwyn District Council offices in Rolleston (2 Norman Kirk Drive, Rolleston).