Recruitment Process

Introduction

Rescue work is often undertaken in dangerous conditions and can be stressful to those involved.  Teamwork is essential, with all members taking their share of the responsibility and being able to rely on other team members for their own and casualties’ safety.  The team cannot afford to have poorly prepared responders operating in a rescue environment.

Potential team members must be of good character and have suitable skills and experience.

This procedure applies to all potential members of HCERT including persons transferring from other USAR response teams or emergency services.

Process

HCERT will recruit annually to fill vacancies or at any time as deemed necessary to maintain numbers.

This process will be managed by the recruitment panel which is made of three members from the management committee.

1.  Team members are advised that a recruitment campaign is under way.  At the same time we advertise in the media for recruits.

Criteria

• Must be over 18 years of age
• Have a good level of fitness
• Be willing to undergo a Police vetting process
• Have an interest in Civil Defence and rescue work
• Works well in a team environment
• Be of good character and be community minded
• Willing to submit to random drug test
• Must be a NZ resident
• Hold a full class 1 driver licence
• Must hold a current First Aid Certificate

2.  Applicants will be directed to register their interest via an on line application form.

3.  Applicants will then be screened by the recruiting panel for their suitability to proceed to the next stage.

4.  Applicants selected will be invited to attend a recruitment seminar.  At the seminar they will be given an overview of the teams activities, training provided and made aware of the commitment expected of them. There will be an opportunity for them to speak with senior responders and have any questions answered. 

5.  Applicants will then be invited to apply for membership. At this time they will be supplied with a recruitment pack.  This will include the following:

• Application form
• Vetting form
• Process information form
• Medical clearance form
• General information about rescue teams in NZ

6.  Applications will then be shortlisted. Those successful will be required to undergo the HCERT fitness assessment.

7.  After the successful completion of the fitness test a further shortlisting process will take place. Those successful will be invited to a formal interview with the recruitment panel.

8.  At the formal interview applicants will present a short presentation outlining why they want to be a member of HCERT.  They will then be interviewed using the S.T.A.R. model. 

9.  If an applicant is successful at interview they then undergo Police vetting.

10. All applicants who pass Police vetting will then go forward for final selection to be considered by the recruitment panel.

11. Successful applicants will then enter the induction stage of training. This will involve the covering off keys aspects of general rescue.  During this time applicants will wear the orange overall, clearing identifying them as new recruits.  They will be assessed on their ability to received instructions and work in a team environment.

12.  Before moving into the probationary training period recruits will be tested on their ability to perform basic general rescue tasks.  They also must undergo a further fitness assessment to ensure they have maintained their level of fitness.

13. Upon successful completion of general rescue tasks the recruit will be put forward for probationary membership of the team.  Team members will be invited to make submissions on the suitability of the candidate.  Submissions must be in writing and evidentially based.  These will be considered by the recruitment panel whose decision will be final on whether the candidate moves forward into the probationary period of training.

14. Upon entering this phase of training the recruit wears the blue HCERT overalls.  They are issued with limited PPE at this stage. They are eligible to be deployed in a limited capacity at the Team Leaders discretion.  At all times they must be supervised by a senior responder during a deployment.

15. The recruit then undergoes training to obtain the USAR Cat.1R qualification.

16. Upon successful completion of the USAR Cat.1R qualification the recruit can be put forward for final consideration, in front of the management committee, for full team membership.  At this stage should there be any training short fall full team membership can be deferred.  

17. Following successful review of the management committee the recruit can be inducted into the team as a full team member.  At this stage they will be presented with the complete responder uniform and PPE.  

Process for former full Team Member re-joining the Team

• If they have past the USAR Cat.1R unit standard they will enter the team as a probationary member.  During this time their skill set will be assessed, they must pass the fitness assessment and their ability to work with the team will be assessed.
• If they pass the fitness assessment, their skill set has been assessed as competent and they have worked well with the team and will then become eligible for full membership.  
• Team members will be invited to make submissions on the suitability of the candidate.  Submissions must be in writing and evidentially based.  These will be considered by the recruitment panel whose decision will be final on whether the returning member is inducted back into the team as a full member.

Process for an individual transferring from another NZRT Team

• Their skill and qualifications are assessed against HCERT operational requirements as stipulated in HCERT recruitment and operational policies.
• If they are assessed as competent they will be invited to undergo a fitness assessment.
• On successful completion of the fitness assessment they will be invited to join the team as a probationary member.
• They will undergo a probationary period (time period assessed on a case by case basis) to ensure their skill set is up to standard, they have maintained their fitness and they work well with other team members.
• After the assessment period they can become eligible for full membership of the team. Team members will be invited to make submissions on the suitability of the candidate.  Submissions must be in writing and evidentially based.  These will be considered by the recruitment panel whose decision will be final on whether the returning member is inducted back into the team as a full member.