LandSAR volunteers to rescue of rattled residents

Land SAR volunteers Cayla Were, left, Missy Hearfield, Kieran Ogle and Refael Whyte at the Land SAR Base in Halswell Park. Photo / NZPA

As their urban counterparts comb central Christchurch for victims of last week's devastating quake, hundreds of Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) volunteers have taken on a more low-profile task.

Up to 350 of them have spent the past nine days going door-to-door, checking on the health and well-being of rattled residents in the suburbs.

The operation is run from the rugby league club rooms at Halswell Domain and the adjacent car park, south-west of the city centre, with volunteers sleeping in tents on the field.

One volunteer, Virginia Peck, from Hamilton, said it was important to reach out to those feeling most vulnerable.

"I've been sector leader in charge of about four teams of four people, we've been out in the suburbs door knocking and checking on people... they were quite good but a couple of people in particular were quite emotional," she said.

LandSar staff provided information about support and welfare services as well as the occasional hug.

While some residents were clearly traumatised, the volunteers had to keep their emotions at bay, Ms Peck said.

She said LandSar provided an important community service, whether it be rescuing an injured tramper or reassuring people in the wake of a natural disaster.

"Helping out members of the public, that's what we're trained to do. It's not just searching, we help rescue people," she said.

"If they (the people of Christchurch) need more resources, we're able to assist for the better good of the community.

Ms Peck, who works in the banking industry, described LandSar's operation as "absolutely wonderful".

"Obviously this is the biggest number of people, the biggest job that we've ever been involved in, normally we have our own regional call outs and you might get 50 people, so this is just huge."

LandSar spokesman Shailer Hart said the volunteers were starting to wind down, having "done their bit".

"There may well be future opportunities, but they've done a good job and I think the people of Christchurch appreciate it."

- NZPA