Hastings retirement village tests emergency planning

Residents and management of Summerset in the Orchard in Hastings have put their emergency planning to the test.

Hastings District Council Emergency Management staff visited the Ada Street retirement village on Monday 24th November to coordinate a mock earthquake exercise. The village provides independent living options, with 151 private dwellings and well over 200 residents.

Team Leader Emergency Management Trevor Mitchell says “The village is located in a lower hazard area of Hastings with earthquake being the greatest risk. The exercise was designed to test the village’s emergency procedures and educate the residents on preparing for a disaster.”

Trevor Mitchell says “Emergency Management staff gave a presentation to wardens and staff covering the top 10 hazards for Hawkes Bay and how to mitigate the impact of these on the village.”

“It is great to see the management and residents of Summerset in the Orchard being proactive in their preparation for the hazards that may affect them. Having a plan and being prepared is an essential step in building the resilience of our communities,” Mr Mitchell says.

Summerset Village manager Allan den Boer says “The village is divided into sectors with a warden appointed for each section. Prior to the exercise, the wardens visited each home and provided information on local hazards, what to do in an emergency, and how to get ready to get through.”

“This exercise provided some very useful information about how we can plan for an emergency. A backup water supply has been installed and a small generator will provide lighting to help get through an emergency. The exercise highlighted the fact that it may be some time before help would be available during an emergency, even though the village is located in the Hastings urban area,” Allan den Boer says.

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