Find out how you can help your community be better prepared for an emergency. Come to a public meeting at Oakura Fire Station at 7pm on Tuesday 12 February.
Oakura is the first community in New Plymouth Dsitrict to be approached to develop Community Emergency Plans.
These plans encourage communities to plan how they can work together, before (by planning) and during (by responding) an emergency event, and also to consider ways they can co-operate with each other after the event (during recovery).
Following a brief introduction on what Community Emergency Plans are about, the meeting on 12 February will be a workshop to get those attending involved and to assist in identifying those who would like to be more involved with the ongoing development of the plan.
The aim of the project team is to ensure that each community own their own plan and take responsibility for its development and ongoing maintenance. The project team will be available to assist when required. Following the meeting/workshop in Oakura, the project team will debrief and review and then set a programme for rollout through the district.
The project team includes police, Fire Service, Red Cross, Neighbourhood Support, the Rural Support Trust, Civil Defence and the New Plymouth District Council.
Please bring a plate to the 12 February meeting for a shared supper. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Tell your friends and neighbours about this meeting. You can download a flyer with the details.
Why develop Community Emergency Plans?
Our community needs to be aware that they are responsible for ensuring they are prepared for an emergency. It is important that people understand that they are responsible for their own welfare, and the welfare of their own family and friends.
During an emergency event, there may be a need for all the emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) to prioritise their resources, depending on the extent and nature of the emergency, which may leave some communities in isolation for a short period of time. During these times, communities need to rely on each other.
Through consultation and engagement with the community, the establishment of Community Emergency Plans will assist in raising the awareness of different types of emergency event and at the same time increase the readiness and resilience of a community before, during and following any event.