Emergency Planning is in Communities' Hands | infonews.co.nz New Zealand News

The first step in helping local residents withstand an emergency begins tomorrow night (Tuesday) in Oakura.

Communities throughout the district will be encouraged to develop their own emergency plans. The first public meeting on the creation of a community emergency plan will be held in Oakura’s fire station on Dixon Street, with an open invitation to residents in the town and surrounding areas to attend.

The 7pm meeting is being facilitated by Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management (TCDEM) and New Plymouth District Council, but the intention is for the community to write their own emergency plan and operate it themselves.

“Each community has different needs in an emergency, and the people who know best what is required are those who live there,” says Mayor Harry Duynhoven.

“What we want is for communities to consider what they need to do to prepare for emergencies, what needs to be done during an emergency, and how they can cooperate to recover after an emergency is over.

“Ultimately, neighbours working together can reduce stress and suffering, and help save lives and property.”

Dates for meetings in other communities in the district will be confirmed after tomorrow night’s meeting in Oakura.

In 2010 the TCDEM report Emergency Preparedness/Awareness Survey and Focus Group found that while Taranaki residents appreciate it is very important to be prepared for a disaster, only 10 per cent of residents said they were fully prepared. Residents would rely more on their neighbours, friends and family than on emergency services to help them get through a disaster, although many still expect other agencies will be available to help out.

A project team comprising the police, Fire Service, Red Cross, Neighbourhood Support, Rural Support Trust, TCDEM and NPDC have developed the community emergency plan programme so that people in urban, rural and remote areas can organise themselves to be prepared for emergencies.