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NZMAT achieves

The World Health Organisation’s International Emergency Medical

Team Classification

Type 1 Mobile and Fixed Team

September 2017

Inside this issue: From the Desk of Charles Blanch

NZMAT Calendar of Upcoming Events 2018

WHO EMT Classification

NZDF Southern Katipo Exercise

NZMAT Team Member Course

WHO Regional EMT Meeting

NZMAT Active Deployment List

Notices

Contacts

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

NZMAT Newsletter March 2017 Issue 10

NZMAT Newsletter December 2017 Issue 12

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Charles Blanch, Director Emergency Management, Ministry of Health

Wow what a year for NZMAT.

A huge amount of work throughout the year by the clinical reference groups and logistics work streams led by Paul, Judy, Emma and Martin to get ready for a successful WHO classification in September. Despite having been a verifier for two other teams you are never quite sure what they are going to ask or focus on and we found the process really beneficial to tighten our SOPs and thinking in a number of areas.

As we enter cyclone season we are now better prepared than ever to respond effectively and efficiently.

The region is also well prepared with five WHO classified teams out of a global total of 13 and significant work underway in disaster vulnerable countries such as the Philippines, Tonga, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands to develop coordination arrangements, domestic and international teams as well.

NZMAT has had an active role in supporting this regional preparedness with Dr Emma Lawrey and Dr Tony Diprose deployed as WHO temporary advisors to assist EMT workshops in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu as well as mentoring visits and skype conferences with Japan and Malaysia as well as observers from Vanuatu and Fiji on our classification.

I hope you all get some respite from your busy work schedules over the Christmas holidays to catch up with friends and families but please also take the opportunity to review your personal readiness to deploy (passport and documentation, employer and family aware etc.). Thank you for your continued interest and support.

To be considered for a NZMAT deployment you need to: Register your interest to join NZMAT

Complete a NZMAT Team Member training course

Have a valid passport, valid for at least 6 months prior to expiry date

Have up-to-date vaccinations

Complete and maintained your D4H profile

For more information regarding deployment requirements, please review the NZMAT Operations Manual which can be found at: http://www.health.govt.nz/nzmat

From the Desk of Charles Blanch

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2018 – Up-coming Events

Month Events

January NZMAT Cache Planning Meeting

February Surgical Specialist Cell Workshop

Clinical Equipment Familiarisation Evening

The Ministry of Health & Counties Manukau Health wishes

all friends of NZMAT and their families a Merry Christmas and a

safe holiday season!

Visit the NZMAT Website @ http://www.health.govt.nz/nzmat

NZMAT Calendar of Events – 2017 NZMAT Calendar of Events – 2018

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NZMAT’s WHO EMT Classification Visit – 18th & 19th September 2017

After further refinement from the work undertaken during the trial run setting up the NZMAT’s EMT Type-1 Outpatients Fixed Camp Facility in May 2015 and our consultative visit from our mentor Bronte and Dr Ian Norton WHO, NZMAT completed the final preparations of it’s camp facility ready for The World Health Organisation’s EMT Classification visit in September 2017.

Once again the NZ Defence Force very kindly provided the use of land at the Air Force Base in Whenuapai , Auckland for the Fire and Emergency NZMAT Logisiticians and clinicians to set up the camp structures.

The EMT Verification Team consisted of Mr Flavio Salio (WHO EMT Secreteriat), Ms Bronte Martin (NCCTRC / AusMAT, Regional EMT Chair & NZMAT mentor), Dr Tatsuro Kai (Senior Advisor Japan Disaster Relief Team) and Mr Leong O (WHO Western Pacific Regional Office). The verification team was joined by three observers from the Pacific – Dr Basil Leodoro (Vanuatu), Dr Luke Nasedra (Fiji) and Mr Vimal Deo (Fiji) – which allowed for the opportunity for the observers to view the verification process as they prepare to develop EMT capability in their respective countries.

NZMAT Outpatients Fixed Camp Facility – photo taken by NZ Defence Force

The set up of the full Type-1 Outpatient’s Fixed Camp Facility was fully completed on Friday 15th September in time for the facility to be receive a Maori Blessing conducted by Maori team from Waitemata DHB.

The wet weather provided challenges during the set up phase and within 10 minutes of the verification team arriving on site, the heavens opened up providing a very wet welcome – we can safely say the tents don’t leak but we did wonder if they were going to float away!

Commencement of the Maori Blessing – photo taken by Elpseth Frascatore

WHO EMT Classification

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The verification visit not only involved a visit through the Type-1 Outpatient’s Fixed Camp Facility but also a visit through the NZMAT cache facility (co-located with the Fire & Emergency NZ USAR’s cache at Poynton Terrace, Auckland) as well as presentations from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and NZMAT clinicians which covered off sections of the documentary evidence package which the classification team had received prior to arrival in New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health would like to thank all NZMAT personnel who assisted with preparations for the classification visit.

If you missed the news releases regarding this event please visit:

http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/media-releases/new-tent-hospital-boosts-nzs-disaster-response

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/pacific/341709/nz-disaster-response-improved-by-new-portable-hospital

On the NZMAT Facebook page you can also access a 3D throughout of the clinical areas of the Type-1 Outpatient’s Fixed Camp Facility

https://www.facebook.com/NZMAT-702718813104017/

Achieving classification NZMAT has demonstrated that it meets the priniciples and core standards of an internationally deployable EMT and the technical standards of an organiszation capable of deploying an EMT Type 1 Mobile and Fixed.

The WHO verification team viewing the NZMAT cache facility – photo taken by Murray Halbert

Presentations underway – photo taken by Michelle Peperkoorn

The WHO verification team with MoH & NZMAT personnel post confirmation of NZMAT

achieving classification. L to R: Mr Leong O; Ms Judy Fairgray; Dr Tatsuro Kai; Mr Charles Blanch; Mr Flavio Salio; Mr Paul Callaghan; Mr Martin Buet; Ms Bronte Martin, Dr Emma

Lawrey – photo taken by Murray Halbert

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NZDF Southern Katipo Exercise – 27th – 30th October 2017

A six person NZMAT mobile team participated in the NZDF Southern Katipo Exercise in the South Island in October 2017. Team Alpha was deployed to work alongside other humanitarian agencies to support the people of the fictional country of Becara displaced by the disaster.

The exercise also provided the opportunity to review the logistic processes involved in deploying a mobile team and associated cache by helicopter and tested processes developed after the Koro Island deployment during Cyclone Winston last year.

Paul Callaghan (NZMAT Logistician/FENZ)); RN Tori Prendergast (Team Leader / CMDHB); Dr Sarah Clarke (NDHB); Shane England (NZMAT Logistician/FENZ);

RN Ciaran Cliff (WDHB) & Dr Scott Wilson (NDHB & CDHB) – photo taken by Debbie Wing

NZDF Southern Katipo Exercise

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NZMAT Team Member Course – 7th – 10th November 2017

NZMAT faculty staff, along with Mark ‘Squiz’ Squirrell (Global Frontline) introduced 29 course participants from multiple clinical specialities to skills and knowledge that may be required on an international deployment.

The four day course was once again held at the Fire & Emergency NZ National Training Centre in Rotorua and consisted of three days classroom based lectures and practical exercises and a one day immersion exercise which gave participants the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge they had gained.

The Ministry of Health and Counties Manukau Health would like to thank all the participants for their time and enthusiasm during the course and to our USAR colleagues for their expertise as well as our guest speakers from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ministry of Health, New Zealand Defence Force, Fire & Emergency NZ and NZMAT personnel, Dr Vaughan Poutewera, Dr Alan Goodey, RN Michelle Peperkoorn and RN Lucas Fraser.

Classroom presentation NZMAT Team Member Course 2017

Faculty and participants of the NZMAT Team Member Course 2017

Course participants receiving a briefing before participating in

one of the several practical sessions – NZMAT Team

Member Course 2017

Dr Tony Diprose in the News! NZMAT Team Member Course

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WHO Regional EMT Meeting – 21st – 22nd November 2017

The WHO Regional EMT Meeting was held in Canberra, Australia with 180 delegates in attendance with the overarching theme of ‘strengthening the Emergency Medical Teams initiative for all-hazards emergencies preparedness, alert and response’.

Several discussion sessions were held over the two days which provided the opportunity for member states and EMT providers to have input on topics such as EMT coordination, training, exercises and capacity building as well as experience sharing and lessons learnt on regional response operations. The meeting also provided a forum for participants to shape a regional agenda on the implementation of the EMT initiative in the Western Pacific region, jointly with WHO.

Charlie Blanch (Director Emergency Management MoH), Dr Emma Lawrey (NZMAT Clinical Lead) and Judy Fairgray (NZMAT Programme Manager) also received the official classification, signed by WHO Director General Tedros, as a Type 1 Fixed and Mobile Outpatient EMT from Dr Ian Norton (Manager EMT Initiative) and Bronte Martin (Regional Chair) on behalf of NZMAT’s 180 trained personnel and their supporting agencies.

NZMAT representative receiving classification certificate

Charles Blanch presenting at the WHO Regional EMT Meeting

Note: Our very own Dr Emma Lawrey immortalized on the EMT poster behind Charlie!!

Dr Tony Diprose in the News! WHO Regional EMT Meeting

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Confirmation to remain on NZMAT Active Deployment List Required

The Pacific cyclone season has commenced and planning for any potential NZMAT deployment(s) is currently underway.

Part of the planning involves confirming with trained NZMAT personnel that they wish to continue to be on the NZMAT active deployment roster. It is acknowledged that personal circumstances change and confirmation of removal from the NZMAT active deployment roster will prevent emails being sent unnecessarily to people who no longer wish to be involved with NZMAT.

To remain on the NZMAT active deployment roster, NZMAT personnel are required to:

Provide confirmation to the NZMAT Programme Manager by 29th December 2017

Update and maintain their D4H profile, including providing the NZMAT Programme Manager with copies of all required documentation:

­ Current passport and visas

­ Professional CV (in the NZMAT CV Format)

­ Vaccination documentation

­ Annual Practicing Certificate / Licence

­ Drivers Licence

­ Relevant professional certificates i.e. degree, diploma etc.

Please note: NZMAT personnel can remain on the NZMAT active deployment roster even if they are unavailable for a period of time i.e. working overseas. In this case, NZMAT personnel are required to keep the D4H ‘on-call’ roster updated with the period they are unavailable.

If your personal circumstances have changed which prevent you being available to deploy but you are still in the position to be able to provide expert advice if required, then please let the NZMAT Programme Manager know. NZMAT personnel will be classified in a difference group on D4H.

If confirmation is not received by 29th December 2017, the NZMAT member will be moved to ‘Non-Operational’ status in D4H and become unavailable for NZMAT deployments.

NZMAT Active Deployment List

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NZMAT Clinical Equipment Familiarisation Evenings

During 2018 a series of evenings will be held to provide trained NZMAT personnel with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the clinical equipment they could be using when deployments.

The first evening will be held in Auckland on Tuesday 13th February 2018. Further details will be sent out via email in January 2018.

Please note attendance at these evenings is at the cost of individual NZMAT personnel.

It is planned to hold further evenings in both the North and South Islands throughout 2018.

NZMAT EMT Type-1 Outpatients Fixed Facility – Resus Tent

Wanted: Specialist Travel Medicine Nurse

Worldwise Travellers Health Centre, Auckland, New Zealand requires a full time Registered Nurse to work as a Specialist in Travellers health.

This is an exciting job that requires a person able to guide travellers in adapting to the ever-changing environment of global health. The successful applicant will preferably have had prior nursing experience, travel medicine expertise and have travelled extensively.

Interested? Write for further information and job requirements to Jude Crann, Practice Manager: judith.crann@worldwise.co.nz

Visit to AusMAT’s EMT Type 2 Facility Notices

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Judy Fairgray

NZMAT Programme Manager Pacific Health Development Counties Manukau DHB

Email: Judy.Fairgray@middlemore.co.nz

Mobile: +64-21-227-4830

Martin Buet

Regional Emergency Management Advisor (Midlands) NZMAT Project Lead Emergency Management Team Protection Regulations & Assurance Ministry of Health

Email: Martin_Buet@moh.govt.nz

Dr Emma Lawrey

NZMAT Clinical Lead Emergency Medicine Consultant Auckland City Hospital

Email: ELawrey@adhb.govt.nz

Charles Blanch

Director, Emergency Management Protection Regulations & Assurance Ministry of Health

Email: Charles_Blanch@moh.govt.nz

Visit to AusMAT’s EMT Type 2 Facility Contacts