New Zealand’s first swiftwater rescue command course a success!
New Zealand’s first Swiftwater & Flood Rescue Command Course was held at North Coastguard North Canterbury over the weekend, where a number of swiftwater rescue technicians were introduced command tactics, processes and tools to deal with small scale swiftwater incidents through to preparing to deploy to large scale flood disasters. 100% of participants said they would recommend the course to others and were pleased that the course was not a “Death by CIMS” experience. Students came from a wide range of backgrounds including firefighting, marine rescue and ambulance.
The course was designed and delivered by Dr Steve Glassey, New Zealand’s longest serving internationally recognised swiftwater rescue instructor who is also one of New Zealand’s first Higgins & Langley International Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Medal recipients (2014). Dr Glassey is New Zealand’s leading pioneer for swiftwater and flood rescue, introducing advanced courses such as vehicle rescue, body recovery, swiftwater breathing apparatus (SWBA) and flood worker safety to New Zealand for the first time.
The course raised many ideas and actions to help build and maintain world leading capability, right here in New Zealand. If you want training that is delivered by world experts who operate ahead of the curve, then contact us today and move from the 1980s to future state thinking. There’s a reason why PSI Global made the top 5 SAR training providers in the world at the recent 2025 Global SAR Excellence Awards and proud to be once again celebrating another New Zealand first.
