7 August
Corrections Chief Executive Barry Matthews presented the second ever Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Award in Napier today.
The award is for staff who display exceptional behaviour through courage, initiative or skill in one-off situations and was given to Community Probation & Psychological Services Community Work Supervisors Mane Robinson and Lyn Bryant.
Mane and Lyn, who are both based in Napier, received the award for their work while supervising offenders on Community Work.
Mr Matthews said that while they were both working with offenders at a pony club in Puketapu, a fire started, believed to have been caused by a loose wire due to a bird flying into a power line.
“A potentially serious situation was prevented thanks to the quick work of Mane and Lyn.
“They quickly realised the fire had started and acted immediately, utilising their two groups of Community Work offenders to quickly get the situation under control.”
Mr Matthews said Mane rushed his group of offenders over and had them place dirt on the fire to keep it down. The group also kept watch on proceedings to make sure it didn’t flare up again. Lyn and her group went to the road to signal the fire department and opened gates to improve their access.
“They took immediate responsibility and handled an urgent and potentially dangerous situation calmly and professionally. If not for their quick actions the fire could have caused significant damage.”
Mr Matthews said a mark of Mane and Lyn’s professionalism is that after all the fuss, both groups returned back to their work clearing tracks alongside the river.
The Chief Executive’s Special Commendation Award was launched in April 2009. Nominations are open to all Corrections staff, volunteers and the employees of partner agencies where appropriate.
For further information contact the Communications Services Desk:
Phone: (04) 460 3365
Email: commdesk@corrections.govt.nz
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