Angie - Senior Advisor (Emergency Management)

 

• How long have you worked at HCC?

It will be 10 years in May, and enjoyed every minute of it.

 

• What attracted you to the role?

I’ve always had a bit of a bent for emergency management and rural fire. I love the idea of being able to help people, to work in emergency situations, and to be able to get out and about in my role and not confined to an office. It offered enormous variety, with plenty of challenges and opportunities to grow my skills, and the chance to work with a wide range of people and organisations.

 

• What does your job involve – day to day things?

Every day is different and interesting, the senior advisor role includes planning emergency exercises, training, coordinating the welfare advisory group and planning for welfare centres & response, response to emergencies such as floods and rural fires,  liaison with the rural fire forces & emergency services, rural fire mitigation, variety of project work, ensuring the Emergency Operations Centre capability and readiness including equipment and operating procedures, emergency communications, public education & presentations.
I’m frequently presented with new opportunities, challenges and projects to work on, and no two days are ever the same.

 

• Things about the job that you enjoy the most…

Apart from working with a great team, it’s the ongoing variety and challenges that keep the mind working, as well being given the autonomy and being empowered to do the job professionally. It presents many opportunities to be part of interesting teams such as our emergency response team, to be a member on the National Incident Management Team, and also to go on overseas deployments to help. Also, responding to emergency events and truly helping people is very rewarding.

 

• What is your view of the main benefits of working at HCC / in Lower Hutt?

HCC is very central to everything, and not far from home. In particular, the Emergency Management Office has a fabulous working environment and team, with great communication. HCC has a good focus on looking after its staff.

 

• What skills & attributes do you think someone will need to do your job?

The ability to communicate and work well with people and groups of people at all levels, leadership and management skills, the ability to coordinate and chair committees and groups, good analytical and problem solving skills, project management, excellent communication skills to do public speaking and training. Relationship building is a large part of the role, integrity and honesty and a sense of humour!!

 

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