Key Messages for Civil Defence Emergency Management
1. Disasters happen, quickly, and without compassion. We can’t prevent them, but there are steps we can take to reduce the impact and be better prepared to recover quickly.
2. Flooding is the most frequent and damaging hazard in New Zealand and the number one cause of declared civil defence emergencies. Besides floods and storms, we have a range of other hazards here in New Zealand that we need to be prepared for - earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunami.
3. While volcanic eruptions are potentially the most underrated hazard in NZ, earthquakes can be the most damaging. One of the more significant disaster scenarios is a major earthquake on either the Alpine or Wellington faults. One regional study in Wellington gives the estimated impact as 657 fatalities for a daytime event, with 137 if at night. EQC estimates its claims settlements for residential homes alone following a large earthquake would total up to NZ$6.8 billion.
4. Infrastructure. In addition to natural hazards, technological development has created new hazards and risks. Reliance on lifeline utilities (power, gas, water, sewerage, communications and transport systems) leads to greater vulnerability in the event of their failure. Add to this the new threats posed by hazardous substances and introduced organisms and terrorism and we have a range of hazards that can have a significant impact on our lives.
5. Don’t think if, think when. The risks posed by New Zealand’s natural hazards are a fact of life. Important that all New Zealanders know what to do before they have to do it to look after themselves and their loved ones.
6. You could be on your own for 3 days, maybe more. In a major event while people can rely on emergency services and civil defence to do their job, the reality is that this demand is likely to be overwhelming for all agencies in the immediate aftermath of an event. It could be up to three days before essential services such as water, power and telecommunications are restored, and damaged infrastructure (roads, rail, bridges) repaired. This is when individuals and communities are most vulnerable and it is essential that they plan to be able to look after themselves for at least three days.
7. You can take some simple steps to be better prepared to reduce the impact of disasters when they happen. All individuals/families need to to act now to protect loved ones/homes/community.
- Day time event – families are likely to be separated- mum and dad at work/kids at school/daycare. Telecommunications likely to be affected.
- Develop a household emergency plan
- An emergency survival kit is a must –
radios, torches, batteries
alternative cooking if power and gas is disrupted
emergency clothing
essential medicines/first aid kit
supplies for babies
- A Getaway Kit if you need to be evacuated
- Know how to respond. This information is available in the Yellow Pages in the phone book which is in every home
- Know the civil defence warning siren when you hear it.
- Know how to help others - being a good neighbour/people with special needs on the street/those who need support/treating the injured – first aid
- Your local council is responsible for the management of Civil Defence. Locate your nearest council
8. Be prepared at work
- Businesses are likely to have to look after their staff
- Business continuity and emergency plans at an industry level
9. If you are on the road, have a commuter kit. Most motorists are unprepared though they could potentially spend a long period stranded in a vehicle.
- In an earthquake pull over to the side of the road when safe to do so and stop
- Stay in vehicle or transport
- Check battery radio/car radio: Torch: Water and snack food: Essential medicines:Waterproof clothing/flat shoes
10. So what does it mean for me and my family. All New Zealanders need to know about the specific hazards in their community and how to respond. They can get information from their local Council on the hazards and what planning is in place to deal with the hazard.
11. Plan to get back to normal. Recovery preplanning - necessary to consider before disaster strikes. Ensure insurance is kept up to date/that important documents can easily be gathered if you have to evacuate
12. Who/what is civil defence. Correcting the myths
- There isn’t an army of dedicated civil defence people trained, equipped and waiting to be deployed in an emergency
- Civil defence is the coordinated response to a major event which involves the emergency services such as Police, Fire and ambulance, possibly Defence forces, working with the local authorities’ civil defence staff (and volunteers) to respond.
- Civil defence is only activated when an event is beyond the capability of Police or Fire to deal with on their own and where a coordinated response is called for. eg- February 2004/Bay of Plenty floods.
13. The new CDEM Act 2002. What’s different. The formation of 16 regional CDEM Groups to:
- Better coordinate across the whole spectrum of reducing the risk, being prepared for , responding to, and recovering from.
- Better pre- planning and coordination between civil defence, emergency services and key lifeline utilities such as power/water/telecommunications/transport.
- Required that a CDEM Group Plan is prepared identifying hazards and what is being done to deal with the hazards.
- And this plan must be consulted on with the community. So people have an opportunity here to be involved in the process.
Download standard messages from the GRGT site
