QuakeCoRE Seminar – 8 November 2024

Abstract:

The Aotearoa Earthquake Science Advisory Panel (AESAP) has recently been stood up by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide high-quality, coordinated science advice for the Emergency Management system.  We are keen to introduce AESAP to the QuakeCoRE community, as part of wider efforts to build awareness and profile of our science panels.  AESAP’s purpose is to provide authoritative and efficient readiness, reduction, response and recovery science advice relating to seismic activity to the Director of CDEM (Civil Defence Emergency Management) on behalf of the Emergency Management system, through trans-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration.  This may be prior to or during earthquake sequences, slow slip, or other issues relating to seismicity such as co-seismic landslide.  This seminar will introduce the objectives and structure of AESAP and how it was used during the recent National (Tier 4) Exercise Rū Whenua (June-July 2024). 

Bios: 

Tom Wilson
Tom is the Chief Science Advisor for the National Emergency Management Agency | Te Rākau Whakamarumaru.  He is also Professor of Disaster Risk & Resilience at University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha.  In other words, he’s a disaster nerd who tries to use science to keep people safe and help make Aotearoa more disaster resilient. 

As NEMA’s Chief Science Advisor (CSA), Tom’s role is to lead and support providing high-quality, independent, scientific advice to NEMA and the wider Aotearoa New Zealand emergency management system.  This includes considering how to more effectively reduce disaster risk and support better disaster recoveries in the long term, as well as how to prepare for and respond to future disasters.  Tom’s role also includes supporting partnerships with science organisations and helping to better connect research with policy and practice.

Tom lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch with his wife and two sassy young kids.  He loves sport, the outdoors, and is enjoying applying high enthusiasm and low skill to home improvement projects. 

Ashleigh Fromont
Ashleigh leads the Hazard Risk Management Team at the National Emergency Management Agency | Te Rākau Whakamarumaru.  With a background in geophysics and hazards monitoring, she is passionate about science communication for the benefit of Aotearoa’s communities.

The role of the Hazard Risk Management Team is to empower the Emergency Management system to manage natural hazard risk and build disaster resilience, through the facilitation of science connections, promotion of a risk-based approach to practice, and advocacy for resilience in government policy.  The team works with a number of partners across the science system to deliver quality advice and guidance, ensuring that decision makers are supplied with the best information possible before, during and after a crisis.

Ashleigh still claims to be an outdoorswoman, but these days tends to live vicariously through David Attenborough documentaries. 

Daniel Hill
Daniel is a Senior Advisor in the Hazard Risk Management Team at the National Emergency Management Agency | Te Rākau Whakamarumaru.  He is also a member of the National Earthquake and Volcanic Science Advice Panels and leads the Science Desk during activations of the National Crisis Management Centre. 

Daniel’s role at NEMA covers all aspects of hazard risk management. Some of the projects Daniel has been involved in include the development of CDEM Group risk assessment guidelines, work on the management of space weather and volcanic risk and of course the science advice panels. Daniel has been at NEMA for five and a half years and has worked on the response to many events, including the Christchurch Terror Attack, Whakaari /White Island, COVID and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Daniel holds a MSc (First Class Honours) from the University of Canterbury and previously worked for the West Australian Government on their State Risk Project.

Daniel lives in Ōtautahi Christchurch with his wife and daughter.  His interests outside of work revolve around travel, photography, electronics and automation. 

How to join the seminar:

via Zoom:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://canterbury.zoom.us/j/400612265
(Password – 389905)
If you haven’t used Zoom before, a quick and easy installation will be prompted.

Or Telephone:
New Zealand: +64 800 002 260 (Toll Free)
Meeting ID: 400 612 265 (Password 389905)
International numbers available (here)

We extend this invitation to attend our Seminar Series to any interested parties.