When a hiker gets lost or injured in the bush, more often than not it’s a volunteer who comes to their aid.
The Waihī Land Search and Rescue Team – LandSAR – is one such team of volunteers. Made up of 26 people from around Waihī, Waihī Beach, Whiritoa and Katikati, the team are always on call when an emergency happens.
Now, Waihī LandSAR itself is calling for aid, to ensure it can continue to respond effectively when needed.
The team is fundraising for a new Portacom building, to expand its home base and provide a space for volunteers to train, store equipment, and hold briefing meetings during operations.
Chairman Darren Butler said the group is only around $8000 short of the $40,000 needed for the building.
“We’ve already got one Portacom which is where we run, it’s basically a search management base,” he told The Profile.
“The second Portacom is going to give us a bit more space – field team members can receive briefings before getting out in the field. Rather than having to interrupt the police and operate out of their facilities, it’s better just to have their own space ready to go as required.”
Extra search management space has become a necessity in recent years as rescue operations embrace new technology, Darren said.
“We’re starting to get a bit more technology in respect to live tracking of where our field team members are, so we can get that displayed up on big TVs,” Darren said.
“[And] with better cell phone coverage, we’re often able to get a location from, say, a lost person, especially in the bush environment. So that’s one advantage of technology – people will be able to get word out that they’re either injured or lost, just so long as it doesn’t give them a false sense of security. It’s certainly no replacement for an inReach or a personal locator beacon. Those are still definitely the recommended things for the outdoor environment.
“The downside is it means that we need more of a permanent base to operate out of to have the equipment set up.”
Waihī LandSAR have already raised most of the needed funds through grants, and event support for things like multi-sport, off-road running, and other outdoor events.
Darren said the Waihī community had always been very supportive, and he’s hopeful the team will be able to raise the last few thousand dollars to help keep the community safe.
“We are a fully volunteer organisation, and any funds and support is gratefully received,” he said.
DETAILS: See the Waihī LandSAR Give-A-Little campaign at givealittle.co.nz/cause/every-rescue-starts-somewhere to donate. For more information about Search and Rescue New Zealand, visit www.landsar.org.nz.
