Napier family honoured by recognition

Napier family honoured by recognition

11 December 2015, 2:34PM
Napier City Council

Allen Chong spent 26 years as a volunteer with Napier City Council Civil Defence Emergency Management team, specialising in radio communications. 

Sadly he passed away before Napier Emergency Management got the chance to give him his medal recognizing his long service to the Napier community.

On Tuesday night (8 December) his daughter Deanne Arrowsmith accepted his medal on behalf of his family at the official ceremony recognizing her father’s work and that of seven other Civil Defence volunteers at MTG Hawke’s Bay.

She said her family was humbled and flattered by the presentation and honoured his contribution to the Civil Defence Emergency Management team was recognised in this way.

Allen was a stalwart within the volunteer team, turning up for most events, training and deployments even when he suffered ill health stating “Oh well you have to give it a go regardless”.


Allen Chong’s daughter Deanne Arrowsmith with her daughter, holding Allen’s Community Service and Long Term Service medals. Photo courtesy of Napier City Council

His years volunteering for Civil Defence in Napier included many exercises and continuous training, including gaining numerous NZQA qualifications. The highlight for Allen was the completion of the Emergency Operations Centre trailer, which provided a mobile radio communications facility for the council.

“Allen’s contribution was amazing and he once said he got so much out of volunteering, keeping himself out of trouble mainly, but also being able to expand his skill set and employability, Allen was part of the volunteer family and is missed,” said Napier Emergency Management Officer Marcus Hayes-Jones.

The others receiving Community Service Awards and 5 or 25 year Long Service medals were: Barbara Koller, Paula Nagy, Odell Reynolds, Harry Verwey, Merrin Fairless and Peter Ide.  Lyn Bryant, recipient of the 10 year Long Service medal, was unable to attend the event but her contribution was still recognised.
After giving a speech Napier Mayor Bill Dalton joined the National Controller David Coetzee from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management to make the presentations.

Civil Defence volunteers carry out a range of tasks such as welfare support and communications via radio and satellite devices. They are a vital part of how Emergency Management runs in Hawke’s Bay.

For more information about becoming a Civil Defence volunteer, email your name, address and mobile number to Volunteer Manager Harry Verwey at cd.volunteer.manager@gmail.com

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