USAR members helping Niue with COVID-19 response

Two of our USAR members are part of a medical and logistics support team that left New Zealand on Wednesday to help Niue deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lance Wakerley, Senior Firefighter at Auckland City Station, and Nick Lee, Station Officer at Papatoetoe Station will be in Niue for two weeks.

Ian Duncan, Fire and Emergency National and International Response Manager, said the Niuean government formally requested support following an increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Lance and Nick have gone as part of a team made up of Ministry of Health Medical personnel (NZMAT) and New Zealand Defence Force personnel taking essential supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and additional rapid antigen tests.

“Their role is logisticians – ‘loggies’ – they will be supporting the medical team with whatever they need such as transport, food, equipment, and fuel.

“When Lance and Nick return in two weeks we will be sending another two USAR team members to replace them.”

 Back row far right is Nick Lee and next to him is Lance Wakerley.