https://envirowatchrangitikei.wordpress.com/2019/12/18/its-been-revealed-that-when-white-island-emergency-calls-began-police-rescue-services-decided-not-to-go-the-first-responders-were-nz-citizens/
IT’S BEEN REVEALED THAT WHEN WHITE ISLAND EMERGENCY CALLS BEGAN POLICE & RESCUE SERVICES DECIDED NOT TO GO – THE FIRST RESPONDERS WERE NZ CITIZENS
DECEMBER 18, 2019
Thanks to reader Jo Blogs for this link…
“Those nearby, and back on the mainland, reacted instantly and humanely. They ran, flew, and sped by boat toward the danger. Politicians and officials have praised these as “first responders”. Their use of the phrase was a dishonest attempt to hide that these people were not official first responders, but ordinary people. “
From stuff.co.nz
OPINION: The tragedy at Whakaari/White Island last week exposed a growing institutional cowardice among emergency services, particularly police, that affects their usefulness to citizens.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118219897/after-whakaariwhite-island-its-up-to-us-to-save-ourselves