An additional Civil Defence Local Controller has been appointed for Waipā, further strengthening its team of experienced emergency management response staff.
Waipā District Council’s compliance manager, Karl Tutty, was appointed to the role by the Waikato Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Joint Committee, and was endorsed by Council in December.
“I’m privileged to be stepping into a role with a great group of supportive mentors and role models already in the field here in Waipā and the wider Waikato,” said Tutty.
“The current controllers and those dedicated to emergency management all do a great job. I’m looking forward to learning from them as I grow into the role.”
Local Controllers work across the Waikato region and are responsible for leading, directing and coordinating people, material, information and services in a declared state of emergency such as the Auckland Anniversary floods or Cyclone Gabrielle.
Manager District Growth and Regulatory Services, Wayne Allan, said Waipā is fortunate to have a high level of staff commitment and experience in emergency management, and this is proven by having another team member step into this important role.
“There is resilience in numbers, and having a network of experienced controllers for ongoing mentoring and training is a great benefit locally, as well as being able to support other districts during emergencies.”
Tutty, who is also Deputy Chief of the Te Awamutu Volunteer Fire Brigade, completed the Response and Recovery Leadership Development Programme (RRANZ), in August 2023.
“Emergency management is a core local government activity that many staff play a role in. For me it’s a natural extension of what we do to support our community,” he said.
