Helping Others

The Hawke's Bay Emergency Response Team is looking for new volunteers!

The Hawke's Bay Emergency Response Team supports the community during storms, floods, and other emergencies. Whether it's clearing debris, supporting evacuations, or assisting with welfare, our volunteers help make a difference when emergencies happen.

As a volunteer, you'll learn practical emergency response skills, train alongside a supportive team, and gain valuable experience while helping Hawke's Bay communities when they need it most. No experience is required. Full training is provided. Whether you're looking to give back to your community, learn new skills, or be part of a dedicated team making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Ready to get involved?

Complete the Hawke's Bay Emergency Response Team (HBERT) Volunteer Application Form below and we'll be in touch with the next steps.

Hawke's Bay Emergency Response Team (HBERT) Volunteer Application – Fill in form

Trained volunteering - Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management volunteers.

Trained volunteering - Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management volunteers.

Hawke's Bay Emergency Management maintains two volunteer teams, to assist in critical response and support roles during an emergency. All gear and training are provided and becoming a trained Civil Defence volunteer in either of our teams will allow you to gain new skills, develop relationships, and give back to the wider Hawke’s Bay community during an emergency. 

Response Team - The Response Team is a group of trained volunteers who take part in weekly training nights in Hastings. During an emergency the response team takes part in assisting emergency services.

The team has a physical component and specializes in ground-based rescue, flood, storm and welfare response, and rapid reconnaissance of damage during an emergency. 

Support Team – The Support Team is a group of trained volunteers that specialises in establishing and running Civil Defence Centres during an emergency, and are trained to provide psychosocial first aid, complete needs assessments of people affected by an emergency, and ‘door knock’ to conduct welfare checks.

Is trained volunteering right for you? If you are committed, have a mobile phone, and want to make a difference, fill in our registration of interest form and one of our Volunteer Team Leaders will be in contact with you. 

AREC New Zealand – Amateur Radio Emergency Communication “AREC” is the public service arm of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters “NZART” and provide skilled volunteers to enable essential communications to support disaster responses. Click here to volunteer with AREC.

Helping your community get ready.

A resilient community is where people know each other, are connected, and involved, and have a strong sense of community pride. Knowing who your neighbors are, being involved in your local community groups and events, and being committed to your community will make you someone most likely to both copes well during an emergency event and bounce back afterwards.

To help your friends, family and community get prepared for emergencies some steps you can take include knowing your neighbours, joining a neighbourhood support group, becoming a community patroller, holding a neighbour day, and coming together to make a community plan.