February, 2011 edition #13

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SARINZ is alive and well and open for business

At the end of 2010 SARINZ had to look at a number of different options to remain financially stable. Increased delivery costs and high overheads (including increased pressure from TEC funded training) saw SARINZ move to cut costs and reaffirm its purpose by changing its structure and leadership. A number of our partners are very supportive of the restructured team as it focuses on working with SAR and others in assisting with training and research.

Our finances are under control and our staff team are quickly settling in to the tasks at hand with over 160 days of training booked and a number of development projects underway (in consultation with stakeholders of course)

We are open for business and are taking bookings. Dates are filling fast with a number of weekends booked out so get in now to get the training dates that best suit you.

Our First Act for 2011

SARINZ Commitment to the SAR Sector:

Do you need money to help support the running of your TPP/SARINZ training course? If you want to know more read on...

We at SARINZ understand the issues around trying to host training in the current financial climate - increased costs, greater expectations and lower subsidies and less money for volunteer groups.

SARINZ continues to stand-by our commitment that if you volunteer your time in the service of the community, you should not be expected to also have to pay (via course fees, meals, accommodation etc) for that training other than committing your time.  We also believe that volunteers should receive quality training, after all, if you are giving up your time to upgrade or refresh your knowledge and skills it should be worth your while - quality training delivered by quality instructors.

To that end, SARINZ will contribute $125/day for all TPP/SARINZ courses, delivered by SARINZ, where there is 20 or more attendees that meet the funding criteria.  For a weekend course this would be $250 to assist with venue, accommodation, catering, or participant travel.  You can choose how it is spent - providing it is spent on supporting that training event. This funding may be available for a lower student number on a case-by-case basis depending on the costs of instructor travel etc, so if funding is the only thing holding back your training please get in touch with us to discuss how we can help you. This policy will be reviewed as required to best meet the sector needs with the initial review planned for 1st May 2011.

If you want more information on this, please contact either Tony Wells or Carl McOnie at SARINZ.

We hope that this makes a difference in securing the training that you need.

SARINZ wins the AMI Insurance Charity Award at the Canterbury Champion Awards 2010

An outstanding line up of 42 finalists were in the running at last year's Champion Canterbury Awards held in November at the Christchurch Convention Centre with over 1,000 of Canterbury leading businesses in attendance.

The event originally scheduled for the 9th of September, was postponed after learning the extent of the damage to city services and in particular to the central city following the 4th September earthquake said Peter Townsend Chief Executive of the Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Champion Canterbury Ltd.

The sellout attendance at the Awards Ceremony is just another testament to the ongoing resolve of Canterbury businesses and reinforces their resilience and desire to celebrate local business achievement, during what have been, and still are, trying times" said Mr Townsend.

In addition to the category Awards, Special awards were also given to leading charities for the AMI Insurance Charity Award, Search and Rescue Institute New Zealand (SARINZ) and Cancer Society of NZ Canterbury West Coast Division, with both organisations being recognised for playing a pivotal part in our community.

SARINZ Commitment to LandSAR NZ

In November 2008, LandSAR and SARINZ signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing each party to a long-term partnership on the one hand and on the other hand recognition of the areas that each partner focuses on. This agreement went a long way in cementing a stronger and more unified Search & Rescue capability for the benefit of the entire New Zealand community and recognises SARINZ as LandSAR's preferred training provider of choice. SARINZ wish to re-affirm our support and commitment to LandSAR NZ, this MOU and all members.

SARINZ thanks to all volunteers and SAR providers

The 2011 5 Day Tracking course, jointly funded between LandSAR and SARINZ, is scheduled to occur 8-12 August. Preceding the 5 day course will be a South Island (30 Apr-1 May) and a North Island (7-8 May) selection camp, where those wishing to attend the 5 day course can get some preliminary training and "field test" their skills before possible selection on the 5 Day course. Keep an eye on future editions of 'Heads Up' as well as the LandSAR newsletter 'Searchlight' and 'LandSAR Training Update for further details as they are confirmed.