Press Release

For immediate release

5 September 2008

Research Shows Auckland’s Not Ready to Get Through

New research out today has found that Auckland, or more precisely Aucklanders are the least prepared in the country for a natural disaster.

The results, from a Colmar Brunton report into the effectiveness of the national Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management’s ‘Get Ready, Get Thru’ advertising campaign, showed Auckland was below the national average in all eight measures used to detect how ready a region is for an emergency.

The report found that nearly 60% of Aucklanders were not sufficiently prepared for a natural disaster and only 35% of people in Auckland had an emergency plan in place for their household compared with the national average of 50%.

Harry O’Rourke, Group Controller for Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group said that a resilient community meant people taking responsibility.

“Many people think that we are never going to face an emergency situation in Auckland,” said Mr O’Rourke.

“Yet this winter we have seen flooding and extreme weather hit the entire country, and the Auckland Region Civil Defence Emergency Management staff have been actively involved in assisting over 100 people to evacuate 50 homes across the region because of landslips.  Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, from the simple power off for a limited time, to the large scale evacuation incidents which necessitate major community disruption.

“The possibility of an emergency, whether that be caused by the weather, a volcanic eruption or man made disaster should never be dismissed.”    

The survey also revealed that Aucklanders, who say that being prepared is important, but who are not ready themselves, are more likely to attribute this is to laziness or complacency than elsewhere in the country.

“In Auckland we have some world class resources including the provision of emergency operation centres with the ability to communicate during major power outages, experienced and trained emergency management personnel available 24/7 to help manage emergency situations, but we do not have a secret army at our disposal.  Aucklanders need to ensure that they have some preparation put in place,” said Mr O’Rourke.

We can assist, advise and coordinate, but it is up to the entire community to accept some responsibility and carry out their own preparations as help may not be available for a number of days, and it is only the individuals preparations which could ultimately prove to be life saving.

To be prepared, it is recommended that you must have:

Household Emergency Plan and prepare an Emergency Survival Kit so that you can cope with being on your own for three days or more:
 

You will need to have:

A Household Emergency Plan
o       Your family or household need to have a plan in case you are separated before, during or after an emergency.

o       You need to know how to apply that plan to Auckland’s hazards 

Emergency Survival Kit
o       Food and water for at least 3 days

o       Battery powered torch and radio

o       First aid kit

o       Supplies for pets

Getaway Kit if you need to be evacuated
o       Essential items from your Emergency Survival kit

o       Family documents eg. passports and drivers license

o       Personal items .eg. medication and toiletries

Mr O’Rourke said the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group would be reviewing their public education initiatives with a view to intensifying the Auckland regional programme however in the meantime, people should look at the advisory web sites and in the back of the yellow pages.

www.auckland.cdemg.org.nz

www.getthru.govt.nz

ENDS

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