Emergency services funding allocated for 2021-2024

A rescue helicopter service and the region’s surf lifesavers are among the six recipients of the Northland Regional Council’s Emergency Services Fund (ESF), which has recently been allocated for 2021-2024.

Council chair Penny Smart says the ratepayer-funded fund is allocated every three years to enable recipients to better plan several years ahead.

“Ratepayers contribute about $12 each a year to the ESF to support organisations whose primary purpose is to save lives that are in immediate or critical danger, in the Northland region and about $972,000 is available to allocate annually.”

After presentations from emergency service providers and discussions as to how the ESF should be allocated for the next three financial years, councillors confirmed recently (Tuesday, 17 August) the latest round of funding. Recipients are;

• Northland Emergency Services Trust - $535,000 annually to support the provision of helicopter rescue and ambulance services and necessary helicopter upgrades.
• Surf Life Saving Northern Region - $224,000 annually to provide professional lifeguard services in six key Northland locations during the peak holiday period.
• St John Northern Region - $90,000 annually to support and train volunteers to participate in their life-saving services.
• Coastguard Northern Region - $84,000 annually to support their ongoing life-saving maritime rescue services in Northland.
• Far North & Northland Land Search and Rescue - $30,000 jointly annually towards purchasing life-saving equipment and training for volunteers.
• Far North Radio and Sea Rescue - $9000 annually to support the radio service, in particular its continued search and rescue and emergency response.

Chair Smart says the council is pleased to be able to assist funding recipients, all of whom play a valuable role in helping to keep Northlanders – and visitors to the region – safe.