Seven dedicated emergency management professionals from Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management have been recognised with long service awards for their outstanding contributions to emergency management and community resilience.

The Civil Defence Emergency Management Long Service Awards recognise those who have made significant contributions to emergency management at a local or national level.

This year, two team members from Emergency Management Bay of Plenty, Meagan Edhouse and Nicky Parker and five members of New Zealand Response Team 16, Jane Pearson, Jon Gebert, Mark Noack, Robyn Denize and Shaun Thomson were honoured for their longstanding commitment to supporting communities. Edhouse and Parker live in the Eastern Bay and work from the Whakatāne office.

Emergency Management Bay of Plenty regional manager Jono Gracie said the awards recognised the dedication of people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes and on the front line before, during and after emergencies.

“Whether they are co-ordinating welfare support, strengthening community preparedness, leading emergency responses or volunteering their time to assist people in crisis, these recipients embody the spirit of emergency management. Their service has helped make communities across the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand safer, stronger and more resilient.”

Among the recipients are people whose work has had national impact.

Edhouse is recognised for 15 years of service, and her contribution to community preparedness and deployments to significant events across the motu (country).

Parker is recognised for more than two decades of service. She continues to play an important role in strengthening welfare capability, both regionally and nationally.

The awards also recognise the significant contribution made by volunteers from New Zealand Response Team 16 (NZRT-16).

Pearson, Gebert, Noack and Denize have each provided a decade of voluntary service, supporting responses community activities and emergency preparedness initiatives across New Zealand.

Their work has also included training, mentoring, medical support and helping maintain NZRT-16’s operational readiness.

Thomson has dedicated three decades to emergency management.

Through numerous leadership roles within NZRT-16, he has helped shape the team’s capability and reputation while supporting communities through some of New Zealand’s most challenging emergencies.

The awards highlight the vital role both professional and volunteer emergency management personnel play in protecting and supporting communities during times of need.

“The Bay of Plenty is fortunate to have people of this calibre serving our communities. Their expertise, commitment and willingness to step forward when people need help most is truly deserving of recognition.”