Emergency management plan highlights importance of being resilient

People working together to build a resilient Auckland is at the heart of a comprehensive new emergency management plan.

The Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Plan was today adopted by the Auckland Council Civil Defence and Emergency Management GroupCommittee.

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Director John Dragicevich says the plan will help engage communities so they can start working together well ahead of emergencies.

“Developing preparedness strategies before a disaster hits is vital for individuals, households and communities, so they can be resilient if the worst happens,” Mr Dragicevich said.

“The new plan contains several Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group initiatives that will encourage people to think about what they need to do before a disaster.”

These initiatives include working with secondary schools and tertiary institutions to engage young people, who can take the resilience message home to their families and loved ones.

Developing a resilience toolkit full of preparedness advice, recruiting volunteers and raising awareness about where to get information before and during a disaster are other important aspects of the plan.

Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group Committee Chair Councillor Sharon Stewart says it is fantastic to see the plan signed off after two years of development and consultation with the community.

“Plenty of hard work has gone into putting this plan together, which will provide a guide for preparing our communities going forward.”

Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management recommends downloading the Red Cross Hazard App for tips on coping during an emergency and getting updates during a disaster.

Go to www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/disaster-management/hazard-app/ to download the app.

ENDS

© Scoop Media