The Wellington Emergency Response Team are dedicated, trained volunteers who help our communities prepare for, and get through emergencies. We meet weekly for training sessions and are ready for deployment in the event of a disaster. We primarily look after the Wellington region but can be deployed to other regions. With severe weather events becoming more frequent, we are being called to respond to events throughout the country.
Brookfield Deployment Weekend – Feb 28th & March 1st (Part 1)
We began the weekend by setting up our camp as if we had been deployed to a remote location and needed to be fully self-sufficient, while also assisting the local community following a natural disaster.
Large tents were set up for our command centre, a casualty centre and for stores. The small blue tents housed the team. There were tents for ablutions too. No luxuries here – this was a realistic exercise.
The afternoon began with cleaning up the storm damage, removing fallen trees and clearing the roads.
Next, we located a casualty down river and brought them to our casualty centre for assessment and treatment.
Brookfield Deployment Weekend – Feb 28th & March 1st (Part 2)
The next exercise was rescuing someone (our mannequin ‘Manuel’) from a high building. The main focus here was to keep the patient level at all times.
A 4-point rope set up ensured the stretcher remained horizontal throughout the manoeuvre.
Manuel was soon safely on the ground.
Brookfield Deployment Weekend – Feb 28th & March 1st (Part 3)
Having a fresh supply of clean water in the camp is essential. One of our exercises was to carry water across difficult terrain.
Everyone participated, spilling as little as possible.
Next was he high tower – and some practice abseiling.
Brookfield Deployment Weekend – Feb 28th & March 1st (Part 4)
At the end of a busy day there was time to unwind.
Andy, Andy and the Handy Andy – just one example of the fun and camaraderie within the team. We have established a tight bond within the group – it helps us to know we can depend on each other.
We toasted marshmallows and had a debrief and around the campfire.
If you would like to be part of the team and be involved in training to prepare for an emergency situation in your community. Click the button below.
Stretcher movement over uneven terrain February 23rd
A children’s playground provided the perfect environment for practicing manoeuvring a stretcher over rough terrain and through low, narrow or awkward spaces.
With Manuel (our mannequin) safely strapped in the stretcher the team carried him up and over the obstacles in the playground.
With patient comfort and safety in mind, Manuel was delivered safely back to our training centre.
The next exercise was carrying a person with 2 people, making a cradle using their hands. (No photo.)
Storm Response Training Crofton Downs February 16th
The timing was perfect as a severe storm had just hit NZ in the days prior to our training. Some properties in the lower North Island had sustained damage with fallen trees etc. These are the types of situations we train for.
The training for the night was at the site of a building due for demolition.
We removed the debris from the roof (an aerial) and positioned a tarpaulin to prevent further water damage.
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Storm and Flood Response 9 Feb 2026
Very appropriate training with the severe weather high winds and heavy rain the following week. Practicing wading through water that normally will be muddy but using poles to check hidden holes or manhole cover removal minimises the risk of injury.
We then went on to practice wading through water while extracting a casualty, using a V formation.
Finally we practiced throwing ropes to casualties who may be floating down rivers. Unfortunately no one was keen to jump into the river so we tried aiming for someone moving on the flying fox. Its harder than you think to accurately throw to the casualty!
Fortunately we have some Ace throwers!!
If you would like to be involved in training to prepare for an emergency situation in your community. Click the button below.
Knots Ropes and Lowers 2nd February 2026
The night started off with skill station refreshers, of all knots required for anchors, stretcher lashings, and lowers. A good chance to refresh after the break.
Once Manuel was safely secured in the stretcher, anchors were set, and lowering lines were attached, we lowered him from a single-story window to the ground.
With great communication from both teams, he was lowered safely to the ground. A job well done in a short period of time.
End of year fun & games November 16th
It was a lovely sunny day, perfect for an afternoon of lawn bowls and some socialising.
The team and their partners met at the Johnsonville bowling club, divided into 4 teams and leisurely battled it out.
The BBQ was fired up as the afternoon drew to a close and we enjoyed a meal together.
Richard H thanked everyone for another successful year with NZ-RT8 especially achieving accreditation.
Events like these are a great way of bonding as a team and meeting the partners who support our training and deployments.
Would you like to be a part of NZ-RT8? Click the button below.
Emergency Services Expo Porirua – October 25th
The expo was held at Te Rauparaha Park at Labour weekend. There was a huge representation of Emergency Services.
The participants were: NZ-RT8, NZ-RT7 (Victoria University team) FENZ, Wellington Free Ambulance, NZ Police, NZ Blood Service,
Porirua City Council. WREMO (Wellington Regional Emergency Management Organisation) St John Ambulance, NZ Heart Foundation, AREC (Amateur Emergency Radio Communications)
City of Porirua Squadron 41 Air Cadets, Massey University Vet Rescue. Geonet, Porirua City Council Emergency Management Office. Titahi Bay Surf Life Saving, Mana Coast Guard, Wellington Airport Fire Service and the Wainuiomata Fire Waterways.
What a fabulous day of showcasing the amazing teams and equipment ready to serve our community when the need arises.
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October 20th – A Tricky Rescue Scenario
The scenario was – the patient was trapped between 2 containers with no access except from above.
We used a ladder to get on top of the container and down to the patient.
The patient was triaged and deemed unable to walk or climb the ladder. So we strapped him into a stretcher for a safe extraction.
We set up rigging, anchors, pulleys and ropes to be able to lift the patient in the stretcher up and over the top. We then lowered him down to safety on the other side.
October 13th – Mass Casualty Tabletop Exercise
Wellington Free Ambulance staff met with us for a theory exercise around the table.
We looked at Mass Casualty situations and how best to triage and manage casualty care. The casualties were on paper for this exercise.
Also giving M.E.T.H.A.N.E. reports to emergency services. METHANE stands for…
Major incident declaration
Exact location
Type of incident
Hazards – major hazards
Access – best way to get to the incident
Number of casualties
Emergency services on site and any others that are required
The evening was focussed on triaging and re-triaging casualties, prioritising patient care and handing over to Ambulance.
If you would like to be involved in training to prepare for an emergency situation in your community. Click the button below.
Sept 15th – Practising last weeks training
Practicing what we had learned the previous week – anchoring ropes with the correct knots and angles.
Using the ropes to support a weight.
We lowered the casualty, in the stretcher, from the 1st floor safely down to the ground floor.
We also practiced using the stair chair with a casualty in it.
Sept 8th – Ladders and anchors, training with FENZ
Ian from FENZ Wellington USAR team joined us for the evening and trained us in the use of anchor placement. He explained the theory of angles on the whiteboard.
The correct angles are important for the safest and easiest lifting of heavy weights.
Then we headed out to the vehicle bay to secure our anchor ropes with the correct knots and test our understanding of the angles.
Next, we ventured outside to practice our ladder skills with long ladders fully extended. We practised safely manoeuvring the ladders. Ian guided us as we positioned the ladders securely against the building.
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Would you like to get involved and be available to assist in your community?
Accreditation Assessment Day 2 – August 24th 2025
Day 2 began with a storm response scenario at the home of an elderly lady. We broke into 3 teams, the first team entered the house, where the roof was leaking. providing comfort and reassurance to the victim, moving furniture and possessions away from the water.
Another team rigged up a safe way to access the roof and placed a tarpaulin over it.
The 3rd team boarded up a broken window at the back of the house and cordoned off an area where a slip had occurred.
The next scenario was to perform a rescue at height. A casualty on the first floor had an injured foot and required a stretcher to bring them down to ground level while remaining horizontal, the ladder hinge was used for this.
The 3rd task for the day was to rescue some people from a collapsed building. We were required to set up an incident control point, and a cordon to prevent the public accessing the area. We performed a line and hail search to locate the patients, extricate them and take them to a casualty collection point.
Accreditation Assessment Day 1 – August 23rd 2025
NZ-RT8’s accreditation assessment took place over the weekend. All our activities were observed, over both days, by 2 assessors from NEMA and 1 from FENZ.
Day 1 started with identifying the roles our team would be required to fill in a major incident.
We then demonstrated sandbagging for diverting water and setting up a trash pump to move water containing debris.
Our next task was setting up a welfare centre for members of the public who have been left homeless due to a major incident and are needing information, support and direction to the right agency to meet their needs.
The 3rd scenario was a mass casualty situation in a collapsed building. Our team were tasked with finding and triaging multiple victims as quickly as possible. The casualties were extracted and brought out to a casualty collection point and transferred to an ambulance if required.
We came together for a debrief after each exercise. Our team (in red and black) the assessors (in white jackets on the right) and 7 volunteers from NZ-RT7 (in the front row) who were our ‘casualties’ for the weekend.
Storm Response Training August 9th-10th
Several members of the team spent the weekend training for Storm Response.
Preparing for a large weather event where we would be called on to aid the community.
The wet wintery conditions were perfect practice, and the team froze as they spent the day up on rooftops learning to do basic roof and house repairs.
It was an excellent session!
Do you have a suitable venue we could use.
Disaster response in Nelson July 28th, 2025
Five of our team NZ-RT8, plus four from the Hutt River Response Team NZRT18 left for Nelson today to assist with the severe weather events which have caused significant flooding and extensive damage across the top of the South Island through June and July.
With our response vehicles loaded with supplies and equipment we boarded the Ferry this morning.
We will be joining with other teams from Christchurch to provide assistance with the ongoing weather response.
It’s always a privilege to work alongside other dedicated teams, supporting communities when they need it most.
If you would like to be a part of our team, click the link below.
Flood Rescue Training Tawa, July 14th, 2025
The training for the evening was safe movement through flood waters. We got into our PPE; waders and a life jacket.
We practiced searching deep water as a team; grouped together and probing the water with wading pole to assess footing. We worked on river crossing techniques.
Accurately throwing throw bags (a rope with a weighted bag on the end) into flood water to rescue someone in deep or fast flowing water.
