When emergencies strike, it’s not just leaders at the helm — it’s also the people behind the scenes who keep everything running smoothly.
The Controller’s Personal Assistant (PA) plays a key role in the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), ensuring every decision and meeting is recorded accurately.
From managing logistics to supporting the Controller’s wellbeing, Lorraine, our PA to Controller, ensures operations stay on track in high-pressure situations. With hands-on experience during major emergencies — like Christchurch’s earthquakes and deployments to Auckland’s floods and Central Hawkes Bay — her expertise keeps our response agile and effective.
- What is the role of a Personal Assistant to the Controller during a civil defence emergency?
The Controller’s Personal Assistant (PA) is responsible for recording meetings and, more importantly, decisions. I need to make sure the Controller has everything they need so they can do their job, checking in with them to make sure they are OK, and even making sure they have time out. - What led you to become a Personal Assistant to Controller, and how did you prepare for this role?
When I worked at the Christchurch City Council (2007-2017) my General Manager was a Controller, so I just became PA to the Controller and undertook the Civil Defence training. Coming from the UK I didn’t really know what Civil Defence was. It was only after the 2010/2011 earthquakes that I took the lead for this area in making sure we had everything in place to support the Controllers for the next big event.
My day job as an Executive Assistant has an advantage as the roles very much align with each other, just a different subject.
- Can you describe a memorable or challenging emergency situation you’ve been involved in and how you managed it?
During 2023 I was deployed to Auckland for seven days and Central Hawkes Bay for two weeks during the floods and cyclone. I undertook these roles as part of Logistics, which is my second role in the EOC. In Auckland we supported the Welfare team by finding accommodation for the thousands of displaced people, I also wrote a number of processes for them and trained any new staff that joined during the time I was there.
In Central Hawkes Bay it was a varied role of providing water to those not able to get out of their homes, counting portaloos that had been returned, feeding the staff in the EOC, purchasing and installing cameras for roads that had closed, arranging fuel and generators, and much more.
- What key qualities or skills do you think are essential for a PA to Controller during a civil defence emergency?
Exceptional typing skills, to keep up with all the details during the EOC Functional Managers Meetings. You also need to have a friendly can-do attitude, listening ears, and a good pair of walking shoes!
- How do you ensure effective coordination and communication among different teams during an emergency?
Time can get away from you when you are busy in the EOC but I take the time to check in with the teams on shift to make sure they are doing ok. I try to provide good handover notes for the next PA on shift including what happened during the last shift, what might need sorting during their shift and a heads up on anything specific.
- What advice would you give to the community about preparing for and responding to emergencies?
If you live coastal, get to know your tsunami evacuation zone. You can see the tsuanmi zones for Waimakariri here.
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