Household Emergency Plan a Must Have

The havoc and disruption caused by the weather bomb that hit the southern North Island yesterday demonstrates the importance of having a Household Emergency Plan in place before something happens.

Ruapehu Emergency Management Officer Nick Watson said that extreme weather left thousands of commuters stranded, evacuations of homes, closures of businesses and schools, cancellation of transport services and other disruptions

“Emergencies such as this can hit at any time with little or no warning and when they do the first thing people are concerned about is the welfare of their families and loved ones,” he said.

“Many emergencies affect essential services and will in all possibility disrupt your ability to travel or communicate with each other as happened to thousands of people in Wellington yesterday.”

“Local emergency services can easily be stretched or even overwhelmed by a large event so it is important to plan to look after yourself and your loved ones.”

“During the weather bomb yesterday fire trucks and crews needed to be called in from Palmerston North to assist Kapiti Coast and Wellington crews.”

“In Ruapehu we largely dependant on a small number of volunteers for local emergency response and any outside assistance is over an hour away.”

Mr Watson said that people should get their family or household together and agree on a functional emergency plan so that everyone knows what to do.

“A bit of forethought and planning now can help protect yourself, your family, home, business and community and help remove a lot of stress and worry when an emergency of civil defence event occurs,” he said.

“The Get Ready Get Thru website www.getthru.govt.nz has all information you need including an easy to follow template for developing your own household emergency plan.”

“Alternatively people can access it through the link on Council’s own website www.ruapehudc.govt.nz “

Mr Watson said that he would urge people to take the time to create and practice a household emergency plan.

“It’s the best and cheapest insurance and peace of mind you can get for yourself and your family,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media