QuakeCoRE Seminar: Introducing the Aotearoa Earthquake Science Advisory Panel (2024)

QuakeCoRE Seminar Series: Introducting the Aotearoa Earthquake Science Advisory Panel
Presenters: Tom Wilson (National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and University of Canterbury, Daniel Hill (NEMA)
This Seminar was held on 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.
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.
For more information on future Seminars please visit our website, here: bit.ly/2025Sem...