CD Advisory group support Ministry of Health

Thames Valley Civil Defence Controllers Advisory Group Support Ministry of Health Influenza direction

The Thames Valley Civil Defence Controllers Advisory Group met last week to discuss the current situation of the Influenza (H1N1) virus, commonly called swine flu.

At the meeting last Thursday, the Group discussed their current planning and future actions and confirmed that this is a Ministry of Health-led emergency. The Group unanimously agreed to support the Ministry of Health directives as and when required.

The current situation is a Code Yellow alert. Code Yellow is a standby phase, used by the Ministry of Health when there has been a significant outbreak overseas or individual isolated case in New Zealand. So far, New Zealand has managed Influenza A(H1N1) well with no cases, suspect cases or people in isolation in the greater Waikato region.

The Thames Valley Civil Defence Controllers Advisory Group is made up of the four controllers from Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils (Basil Morrison, Peter Barrett, Hugh Vercoe and Lex Denby), senior officials from the three Councils (Pam Howat, Gary Paterson and Dennis Bellamy), representatives from the District Health Board (Thames Hospital Area Manager, Jacquie Mitchell), Police (Senior Sergeant, Sandy Venables), Fire Service (Area Manager, Gary Talbot and Principal Rural Fire Officer, Del Read), and St John Ambulance (District Manager, Bruce MacDonald).

The Group is facilitated by Emergency Planning Unit Manager, Ron White and will meet whenever necessary, following the lead of the Ministry of Health.