Community Resilience
The development of tailored Community Response Plans in the Waimate district will help local communities be more resilient and better positioned to respond to civil defence emergencies.
Civil Defence Emergency Management Co-ordinator Hilary Botting has been heavily involved in working with community representatives to develop these Plans.
Chief Executive Stuart Duncan says a Community Response Plan has already been put in place for the Cannington and Maungati area and a second Plan is about to be launched for St Andrews, Southburn and Otaio.
He says local community representatives are the eyes and ears during an emergency, who can keep local residents informed, helping them stay safe, and keeping Civil Defence Headquarters up-to-date with current information.
“Community Response Plans are an important tool so that residents know who to contact during a civil defence emergency, and how they can help each other,” says Mr Duncan.
“Each Plan is tailored for local communities and includes specific information, including maps and information about being prepared for an emergency. What’s special about these Plans is that they acknowledge how important it is for local knowledge to be used during a civil defence emergency.”
A total of nine plans have and will be developed for local communities and every household will receive a copy of their respective plan:
- Cannington & Maungati (already launched)
- St Andrews, Southburn & Otaio
- Makikihi & Waituna
- Willowbridge, Studholme & Morven
- Glenavy & Ikawai
- Waihaorunga & Waihao Downs
- Cattle Creek
- Hakataramea
- Waimate Township