Taupō business community backs Civil Defence emergency kits
Tuesday 28 February 2012, 2:11PM
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Several Taupō businesses and Taupō District Council have joined forces to create a comprehensive, yet cost effective emergency kit, perfect for the home or business, for only $199 including GST, available from Taupo Office Products Depot and Towncentre Taupō.
The ready-made emergency kit was created in response to a recent TownCentre Taupō survey that revealed most businesses in the Taupō town centre did not have an emergency kit or plan in place. Stephen Payne, owner of Taupo Office Products Depot, offered to put together an emergency kit that was affordable for everyone, yet comprehensive enough to look after staff and customers for a short period of time until help arrived or people could make their way home.
Mr Payne worked with Taupō District Council Emergency Manager, Phil Parker, to ensure that the kit met the needs of businesses in our community. “The idea was initially to serve the business community, but we quickly realised the kits are perfect for the home as well, so we are offering them to everyone in the community,” says Mr Payne.
The emergency kit includes a first aid kit, food items, bottled drinking water, a portable gas cooker, blankets, a dyno-powered torch/radio, tools and many other essential items all contained in a plastic container which can be easily stored and grabbed in an emergency situation.
All items have been sourced locally from Repco, Mitre 10, Taupō Plastics, Pak n Save, Taupo Office Products Depot and Taupō District Council and have been supplied at heavily discounted rates. “This is not a money making exercise,” says Mr Payne, “this is about encouraging the town’s businesses and people to be ready. Our thanks go to the participating businesses for their support.”
Businesses and families who purchase the kit are also encouraged to add their own items, such as special medications, extra food items and enough water for each person in the building. The kits also contain a notebook for businesses to keep a record of all employees’ emergency contact information. “It’s these little things that you take for granted. If something happened to one of your workers would you know who to contact?” says My Payne.
Phil Parker says that the kits are a brilliant idea and have the full support of Civil Defence. “It’s great to see the business community being proactive and doing something to encourage each other to be ready.”
Taupō Civil Defence Controller, Shamus Howard, says often people just need a push to do something about getting prepared. “Motivation is the hardest thing with the ‘Get Thru’ message; preparing an emergency kit is easy but is often put off. This kit is a great catalyst for people, it’s already made up so all you need to do is fill the water container and store them away.”
Taupō District Council has supplied one free 10L food grade water container for each kit and a dyno-torch/radio at cost. Mr Parker says at $199 including GST the kits are incredible value. “You won’t find a better value kit around, and if you were to try and make it up yourself from scratch it would cost a lot more.”
In addition to the 10L water containers, Taupō District Council has the dyno-powered torch/radios available separately from the Council main office for $25 each. “These things don’t require batteries and will keep you informed in an emergency if power is lost,” says Mr Parker. “It is an essential item in your home or business emergency kit and is also exceptional value.”
The emergency kits are available now from Taupo Office Products Depot on Orauanui St and Towncentre Taupō on Paora Hapi Street at a cost of $199 including GST.