Disaster Awareness Week an Opportunity to Get Prepared

 Franklin District Council is urging the community to use Disaster Awareness Week, 5 – 11 October, to take action and prepare themselves to get through a disaster. And Council are providing a few incentives to help!

Due to its location and environment, New Zealand faces many potential disasters. In some cases, such as a weather related or volcanic disaster, there may be time for a warning, but many disasters will strike instantly. All disasters have the potential to cause disruption, damage property and take lives. That’s why Council says it is vital that you prepare now.

“Council, as the Civil Defence Authority in Franklin, is continually working to make sure we are prepared for a disaster. However, when it strikes there will be no magic army that will come over the hill and rescue you. You will need to be prepared to cope on your own for up to three days. Are you prepared if it happens tomorrow?” says Franklin District Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Officer, Andy Baker.
The first key step in being prepared is to put together an Emergency Plan. This plan could save your life when disaster strikes. The Emergency Plan will include:

Where to shelter in an earthquake, flood or storm
How and where you will meet up during and after a disaster
Where your emergency items are, or if they are in a kit where the kit is stored
Who is responsible for checking essential items
Where each person's Getaway Kit will be so they can take it with them
How to turn off the water, gas and electricity in your home or business
How to contact your local civil defence organisation for assistance during an emergency

Franklin District Council has more information, and a template, for preparing an Emergency Plan on their website – www.franklin.govt.nz. Visit their website during Disaster Awareness Week and you can also enter the draw to win an Emergency Box full of everything you would need to cope on your own for up to three days, or more, during a Civil Defence emergency.
“Get ready now for a disaster, so you'll get through when it strikes,” says Andy.