The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) has been instrumental in responding to numerous significant emergency events including tropical cyclones, floods, earthquakes, and storms across the Northern Territory, across Australia, and overseas.
Christchurch Earthquake, New Zealand
On February 22, 2011 the city of Christchurch was rocked by a magnitude-6.3 earthquake which killed 185 people and injured thousands. Central infrastructure was devastated, including water, power, communications, and transport systems.
The devastating earthquake sparked a mammoth international recovery effort.
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A 24 person AUSMAT team comprising of medical, nursing and administration specialists were deployed and landed in Christchurch within 36 hours of the event.
Four Territorians answered the call of duty, including NTES volunteer Damian Clifton who deployed to the city to assist in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).
Arriving on the scene of destruction, the team searched buildings for the bodies of victims and stabilised structures weakened by the earthquake.
The team assisted in the clean-up and helped people begin to rebuild.
Lending a hand to those in crisis sits at the heart of NTES. And while the team considered their efforts “just doing their jobs”, the outpouring of gratitude towards them from New Zealanders was incredible.
On their departure the Australian contingent presented a monument and a cross to the people of Christchurch.
MH370 Search
Experienced air observers at NTES Karl Kratschmer, Gary Casey, Alycea Wong and Laura Wright.
In 2022 NTES Volunteers joined more than 75 State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers in their efforts to scour the Indian Ocean in the search for the missing Malaysian Airlines flight MH370.
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While no trace of the aircraft was found, the team gained valuable experience in search and rescue, flying in a private aircraft contracted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, spending between 30-40 minutes at a time searching for signs of debris.
The team were proud to have had some input into the search for the aircraft and were focused on finding any piece of the puzzle that might assist in helping find answers for the families who had loved ones aboard the missing flight.
Volunteers collaboratively completed close to 1700 hours in the air.
Queensland Deployment
In February 2025 NTES deployed a task force to Queensland to aid in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
The team provided critical reinforcements to crews on the ground in the region, which had been impacted by extreme rainfall, resulting in flash flooding across the state, with relief and recovery efforts continuing for weeks.
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The team, consisting of volunteers and staff from Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy assisted emergency crews and residents with relief and recovery tasks in the Brisbane suburbs that had sustained large-scale storm damage.
NT volunteers and staff assisted during this critical time to help on the frontline of this sustained response and those residents impacted by this weather event.
This was the second such deployment within a month to assist our interstate colleagues in the north-east and highlighted the dedication and core values of NTES.
These deployments serve as a reminder of the crucial role that NTES volunteers play in the broader community, locally and interstate with many of these individuals putting their personal lives on hold to assist communities, as well as others in need during times of crisis.
Acknowledging NTES Volunteers
These significant events, deployments and life-saving rescues serve as a reminder of the crucial role that NTES volunteers play in the broader community, locally and interstate.
The service is mostly volunteer-based, and it is also affiliated with the Australia-wide State Emergency Service (SES).
Many of these individuals put their personal lives on hold to assist people in need during times of crisis.
The recent formation of the NT Fire and Emergency Services, which combines the NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service, and Bushfires NT into one agency, enhances our ability to respond to emergencies while prioritising community resilience.