Lifelines Groups

Lifelines Groups and major lifelines reports

Lifelines Groups are established in most regions of New Zealand; and most have informal relationships with regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups, with some being defined within the structures of CDEM Group Plans.

Current Lifelines Groups

Examples of Major Lifelines Reports

What is Lifelines Engineering?

‘Lifelines Engineering’ is an informal, regionally-based collaboration between Lifeline Utility representatives working with scientists, emergency managers and other professionals. This collaboration provides a framework to support integration of asset management, risk management, business continuity management and emergency management by Utilities. The emphasis is on pre-event planning. Post-event operational roles remain the responsibility of individual Lifeline Utilities.

The objectives of Lifelines Engineering are to reduce infrastructure outage risks and minimise restoration time when outages occur.

Regional Lifeline Groups undertake projects to identify and reduce vulnerabilities to regional scale emergencies (regional Group activity commenced in the early 1990s). A National Committee was set up in 1999 to foster regional activity and provide a link to Government – this is now known as the New Zealand Lifelines Council.

Lifelines Groups

Membership of Lifelines Groups is voluntary. Funding is typically contributed by participating organisations but usually only covers the cost of a co-ordinator/facilitator. Significant ‘in-kind’ contributions are made by participating Utilities through their involvement in Lifeline Group activities.

The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 requires individual Lifeline Utilities to establish planning and operational relationships with CDEM Groups. Lifeline Utilities support these Groups by exchanging information about their risk management processes and their readiness and response arrangements. When viewed collectively, mitigation recommendations are often seen to have greater benefits than individual asset owners would take into account.

Lifelines Groups are also involved in readiness activities with outputs often including agreed priorities for disaster restoration (including priority routes), petroleum disruption planning and emergency communications arrangements.

While there has been a traditional emphasis on natural hazards, work encompasses all infrastructure outage risks. The overall outcome is a much greater understanding of regional vulnerabilities and interdependencies. Individual Utilities are encouraged to take these matters into account in developing their response plans and business cases for new investment.

The various outputs from a Lifelines Group provide valuable material for Emergency Managers at regional and local levels, enabling a better understanding of the region’s vulnerabilities.