Aly Curd


Aly Curd

Aly Curd is an accomplished emergency management professional with extensive experience in search and rescue, community development, and leadership roles. With Masters in Emergency Management from Massey University, she is currently undertaking her PhD in Emergency Management and Search and Rescue. Aly has held key positions at organisations such as Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office and Emergency Management Southland, as well as in training roles for Land Search and Rescue New Zealand. She is known for her dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of communities, both locally and internationally, through her work in emergency response, volunteer management, and resilience building. As a volunteer in SAR, she is active both in the field and in IMT roles, Aly brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience to her work.

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Search and Rescue (SAR) operations are indispensable in emergency management, aiming to swiftly locate, rescue, and assist individuals in distress during civil defense emergencies, including both climate-related and seismic events. This presentation offers a thorough analysis of SAR Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Aotearoa New Zealand, emphasising collaboration with government agencies, communities, and volunteer management in response to these dual challenges. It delves into the integration of training and equipment resources, addressing the unique challenges posed by both climate-related disasters, such as floods and storms, and seismic events, such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Historical events and case studies are examined to unveil the multifaceted dynamics of SAR operations in the face of these dual threats. Emphasis is placed on collaborative efforts between SAR NGOs and government agencies, focusing on effective communication, resource-sharing models, and joint response strategies. The integration of SAR resources with community and volunteer management systems is explored, highlighting the importance of local knowledge and strategic volunteer resource utilisation in the context of both climate and seismic events. In response to the escalating frequency and severity of these disasters, the presentation investigates how SAR NGOs adapt their operations to meet these challenges. The evolving role of training and equipment resources is assessed, offering recommendations to optimize preparedness and response capabilities. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to enhance collaborative efficiency between SAR NGOs, government agencies, communities, and volunteer management, particularly in the context of climate-related disasters and seismic events. This comprehensive exploration contributes to the development of resilient and adaptive emergency response systems tailored to the unique challenges faced in Aotearoa New Zealand, with a particular emphasis on the increasing impact of climate change and seismic events on the frequency and severity of disasters.