The Auckland Region’s Civil Defence/Emergency Management (CDEM) Group met with Hon. George Hawkins, Minister of Civil Defence today Friday 12th May.

The Government recently showed its commitment to changes to civil defence by undertaking to have the proposed Civil Defence/Emergency Management Bill passed by the end of the year.

The proposal is endorsed by local government and emergency services in the Auckland region.

Councillor Neil Morrison, Chair of the Auckland Civil Defence/Emergency Management Group, welcomes the Minister’s commitment and is pleased that the Auckland region is leading the country in developing new risk management strategies.

“While we are in relatively early days, we are confident that the partnership between the various local authorities and the emergency service providers will ensure that the Auckland region is well prepared to cope with any emergency situation,” said Cr. Morrison.

“I am keen to see all Councils share decision-making responsibility for the Civil Defence Act role and for encouraging inter-agency co-operation. So I am also encouraged by the recent decision by the Waitakere City Council to fully support the CDEM Group.”

However, Cr. Morrison says that he firmly believes that local emergency management decisions should continue to be made by local agencies and people.

Senior officers from the local authorities, emergency services and key public agencies have been meeting regularly over the past two years to develop integrated emergency management. These meetings have resulted in the establishment of the Civil Defence/ Emergency Management Group, which includes a political committee.

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