Latest Tsunami Highlights Need for Personal and Family Emergency Plans

Figures released last week show that 15 per cent of New Zealanders have an emergency plan or enough food and water to survive for three days.

Group controller for Auckland Civil Defence and Emergency Management, Harry O’Rourke, says last weekend’s tsunami threat should encourage Aucklanders to get prepared.

“We all need to sit down with family, flatmates or friends and fill out our plans and checklists,” says Mr O’Rourke.

Papakura Civil Defence Officer Kelvin McMinn says the recent tsunami should serve as a reminder to local people of the importance of being prepared and acting responsibly in the event of a Civil Defence emergency.

“Work through where you would shelter from an earthquake, flood or storm. A plan gets you thinking about how you could be affected by a tsunami at home or at the bach, and thinking about the emergency items you have already and where they are stored.”

An online plan and checklist is available on the gettru.org.nz website.

“Auckland is vulnerable to many natural hazards. Planning now will make a big difference to how we cope if an emergency occurs. We all saw pictures of Chile’s devastating earthquake on TV. You can clearly see how any country’s emergency services are stretched beyond capacity in an emergency like this,” says Mr O’Rourke.

Mr McMinn says this is exactly why Civil Defence is encouraging people to look out for themselves and those closest to them.

“You need to be thinking about how you would cope and how you would manage to keep your loved ones safe while emergency services get to grips with an event.”

ENDS

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