During times of crisis and emergencies, there are always people who look at the urgent needs and support required and are there to help Aucklanders get through these challenging times. We highlight some of these incredible volunteers as a way of saying thank you to all who have committed their time to help Aucklanders in need.
Malcolm Savage runs the Enterprise Portfolio Management Office (EPMO) at Auckland Council. He and his team make sure that the council is doing the right projects and delivering them well. The EPMO team helps provide guidance on running and prioritising projects, gives visibility of the portfolio of projects, and makes sure Aucklanders get the benefits from projects we set out to achieve.
- What made you volunteer in the first place?
This was my first time volunteering with an Auckland Council emergency response. In a previous role I had been part of the Air New Zealand 500-strong Emergency Response team and thought I could use my skills in some small way to help those affected through the January storms.
- Was there a normal routine for your volunteering or did it change day by day?
I was working at the Albany Civil Defence Centre (CDC). The centre was open 24/7 and those of us who volunteered were put on shifts. My first shift was as a general volunteer, then in subsequent shifts I was promoted to supervisor. It was a little stressful at first, but it was so good to use my skills.
- What is something you have seen during this emergency that has inspired you?
I was inspired by the number of people that really wanted to make a difference. For example, the Red Cross teams who volunteered, many of them coming up from Christchurch and Wellington. The workers from the Ministry of Social Development who were very compassionate and worked longer hours than their shifts, and the Air Force personnel who did anything we asked whether that was moving people in and out of the centre, serving food, or simply getting a door unlocked. It was so incredible to see people getting stuck in and being willing to help in any way possible
- Are there things you learn volunteering in civil defence responses that you can take into your normal role?
The thing I probably brought to the CDC role was my project management skills coupled with empathy. The team of volunteers from council are awesome, and they just need some guidance of prioritising their involvement. There’s an overwhelming “can do” attitude which is inspiring.
There are so many personal stories, and many very raw and devastating. Being empathetic is so important and I think that is something to apply all throughout life.
- Will you volunteer again the next time we have an emergency?
Yes, I would be happy to volunteer further. I learned a lot volunteering in the CDC, and I am sure I’ll learn more elsewhere. It would be great to put these learnings into practice – though of course I hope naively that they will never be needed on this scale again.
