Get involved
Volunteer with us
Help your community when they need it most!
Join the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management team. From administration, volunteer management, working with communications and radio operations.
Pick a role that suits you and we teach you the rest.
Work directly with us:
You can join our team of CDEM trained volunteers who are working directly with our Waikato Group Emergency Management Office (GEMO) in Hamilton. We offer a series of training and event opportunities throughout the year and like to get to know you before we work together closely in a response.
CDEM training:
When working with us during a response, you are likely to take on a role in our
Waikato Group Emergency Coordination Centre (GECC) in an office-based
environment. The atmosphere is fast paced and calls for a very structured and
process driven approach that we will provide all the necessary training for.
Groups within the team:
We also offer you options to join a group of volunteers within our team with
similar interests and skills as you, such as our admin group or media and public
awareness group. This can be an opportunity for you to make lasting relationships with other volunteers, learn new skills or teach your peers some of your skills. You also have the option of taking on a leadership role within one of these groups.
Volunteer support via partner organisations
Community Groups:
You can volunteer as part of a group within a community focused institution.
These groups include Lions Club, International, Rotary, Māori Wardens,
Student Volunteer Army (SVA), Waikato Institute for Leadership & Sports Studies (WILSS), and Volunteering Waikato.
Tertiary organisations:
If you are a faculty member or a student of Wintec or the University of Waikato, and you want to volunteer your time for the benefit of the community, you can work within groups such as University of Waikato Employability Plus Award (EPA) volunteer programme.
How does this support Waikato CDEM?
If you are a member of any of these organisations, your organisation is already part of Waikato CDEM. You do not need to join us individually. Your organisation can volunteer to help with any official CDEM response.
These community groups and tertiary organisations are also part of our Waikato
Volunteer Coordination Advisory Group (VCAG) that meets regularly to maintain a close working relationship.
Preparing for an emergency
Preparing for an emergency is everyone's responsibility. You, your neighbours and your community will be much better prepared for an emergency if you have a plan to get through.
If you want to know if there is already a community emergency plan in place for your area, contact the local Civil Defence Emergency Management team. They can work with you to identify strengths, resources, risks and solutions to help your community get through an emergency.
Make a community emergency plan
A community emergency plan can help your community understand how you can help each other in an emergency. Talking with other people in your community is one of the best ways to prepare for emergencies.
There will be some groups of people or networks already in your community, look out for
- Civil Defence Emergency Management
- Neighbourhood support
- Volunteer, church and sports groups
- Schools
- Marae, or
- Service organisations.
Contact them to find out what they are doing. In an emergency, they may help with basic supplies and coordinating support efforts.
Get to know your neighbours
Your neighbours and community are likely to be the first to help when disaster strikes, and your community may need to look after itself until help can arrive.
When you get to know your neighbours, you’re more likely to look out for each other, especially during and after an emergency, like a storm or a large earthquake.
- Swap contact details so you can get in touch in an emergency
- Tell them about your emergency plan and ask about their plans
- Find out who can help you and who might need your help.
New Zealand ShakeOut
New Zealand ShakeOut is our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi. ShakeOut is a self-run drill. You can start it in whatever way works for you. You could:
- use a bell, whistle or alarm
- play the New Zealand ShakeOut Announcement over your PA system or
- shout “EARTHQUAKE DRILL”
Drop, Cover and Hold for 30–60 seconds:
- DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
- COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
- HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.
While you are doing the drill, take note of what might be happening around you in a real earthquake. Think about what you might need to do to prepare for a real earthquake.