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Disaster Response
The Disaster Response Team was formed following a meeting in 1992 where
there was instruction given from the New Zealand Embalmers Association
to formulate a team of embalmers to respond in the case of a disaster.
During the setting up of the team, dialogue between the New Zealand Embalmers
Association and the Funeral Directors Association of New Zealand
occurred to a point where in the case of a disaster, a team of both
Embalmers and Funeral Directors will come together within a formal
structure to ensure that the professional repatriation of the deceased
persons will occur.
The Disaster Response Team is officially recognised by the New Zealand
Police and Civil Defence authorities.
The team will be made up of a :
- National Co-ordinator, whose role is to co-ordinate and communicate
between all of the organisations involved in the disaster.
- Mortuary Support, whose role is to obtain and transport embalming
chemicals and equipment to the site.
- Team Leaders, Embalmers & Assistant Embalmers (NZEA); whose role is to
embalm the deceased persons to a level allowing the funeral processes to
take place, and giving due consideration to the cultural and religious
beliefs of the deceased persons and their families.
- Logistics Team (FDANZ); whose role will be to provide
administrative equipment and staff, provide the caskets and
transportation co-ordination to repatriate the deceased persons to their
destination.
The Disaster Response Team have the use of the Peer Support Team, who are
specially trained industry personnel who will debrief each person
involved in the disaster response effort and offer ongoing support to
themselves and their families.
The Disaster Response Team is voluntary and because of this rely on the
generosity of both the team members and their respective employers.
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