%2C%20Callum%20Alexander%20(North%20Canterbury%20Unit%20Training%20Coordinator)%2C%20Kevin%20Bryce%20(North%20Canterbury%20President)%20and%20Phil%20Miller%20(Vice%20Chairman%20Higgins%20and%20Langley%20Board%20of%20Direct-1400x1054.jpg)
A Canterbury volunteer crew has just won the top prize in world swiftwater rescue, and no New Zealand organisation has done it before.
Coastguard North Canterbury has picked up the Team and Program Development Award at this year's Higgins & Langley Memorial Awards. The US-based awards are presented annually to only a handful of recipients worldwide, and are considered the top honour in swiftwater and flood rescue.
Until now, New Zealand's only recognition at this level has gone to individual rescuers, not an organisation.
Volunteers flew to Oklahoma City in August to collect the award, presented on 27 August at Riversport OKC during the Oklahoma Water Rescue Conference, one of the world's largest gatherings of rescue professionals.
Coastguard Tautiaki Moana Chief Executive Carl McOnie says the win is the product of years of work inside the unit.
"This is an extraordinary achievement and a proud moment not just for North Canterbury, but for Coastguard Tautiaki Moana and the wider search and rescue sector," he says. "To be recognised on the world stage in this way confirms that the capability being developed here is truly world leading."
The award recognises North Canterbury's work building specialist swiftwater and flood rescue training, systems and operational capability. That capability is now behind safer responses to flood and river rescue call-outs across the region.
Coastguard North Canterbury volunteer Kevin Bryce says the credit belongs to everyone who's put time into the programme.
"This award reflects a collective effort spanning many years. It recognises the dedication of our Coastguard North Canterbury volunteers, the support of Coastguard NZ, and the contribution of our training partner, Public Safety Institute Global," he says. "It would not have been possible without the support of our local community. Through community donations and Coastguard funding, we've been able to invest in the specialist rescue equipment required to keep crews safe and carry out our operations successfully."
