WEBINAR: He kai kei aku ringa

disaster preparedness webinar header (facebook cover) (1)

9 October 2023

Thursday 19 October, 10.00am – 11.30am

In collaboration with Te Tira Whakamātaki, Resilience to Nature’s Challenges National Science Challenge is excited to present, ‘He kai kei aku ringa – Disaster preparedness’.

This whakatauki translates to ‘there is food at the end of my hands’ and speaks to resilience, empowerment, and hope. The whakatauki refers to one’s ability to have, and use the necessary skills, knowledge, and resources to be resilient and thrive.

Natural hazards and climate change poses a significant threat to the well-being of whānau and communities across the motu, and the need to prepare for such events is paramount. The purpose of this webinar is to present whānau and communities with tangible and practical knowledge so they can determine for themselves how best to prepare, respond and recover.

We are privileged to host Captain Ernesto Ojeda of the indigenous Tarahumara and Yaqui Nations for this webinar. With over 50 years experience in disaster preparedness and response, Captain Ojeda is often referred to as the grandfather of urban search and rescue having written most of the manuals and training plans for the USA, UN and many other countries including Aotearoa New Zealand. He currently teaches American Indian Studies at Cal State University Long Beach.

E nga mana, e nga reo, e nga karangatanga maha, naumai ki tenei wananga whakahirahira, ‘He kai kei aku ringa’.

Webinar Speakers

Captain Ernesto Ojeda

With over 50 years experience in disaster preparedness and response, Captain Ernesto Ojeda (indigenous Tarahumara and Yaqui Nations) is often referred to as the grandfather of Urban Search And Rescue (USAR).Captain Ojeda has over 31 years of service with the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD), has been a member of the LAFD FEMA USAR team since its inception. He was deployed to the Northridge Earthquake, World Trade Center, Utah Winter Olympics, and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He has been heavily involved in large scale multi-agency mobilization.He has also been a member of the FEMA USAR Training Work Group since its inception and served for 21 years. He served as the National Chair for the last 15 years. In that capacity, he oversaw the creation of a new training system and was instrumental in creating an instructor certification system which certifies all FEMA USAR instructors.Captain Ojeda has delivered rescue courses for Fire and Police throughout California and in over 20 US states. In 1995 he was brought to New Zealand to help create our National USAR system, and has returned numerous times to help increase capability. In 2013, Captain Ojeda was the expert witness for the Christchurch Coronial Inquiry into the CTV building collapse. He has also helped developed Mexico’s Urban Search and Rescue capability and system.He currently teaches American Indian Studies at Cal State University Long Beach.