Civil Defence: Be prepared

Neighbourhood Support Rotorua is a member of the Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civil Defence Welfare and Recovery Committee, working closely with RLC’s Civil Defence Emergency Management co-ordinator, Linda Johnston.

The Neighbourhood Support communication network is used in times of emergency to contact affected areas and get out important messaging. Ensure your household contact details are up to date on the database as part of being prepared. The Scout movement had a motto, “be prepared”, and this is what we all need to do before disaster strikes. The steps are simple – make a plan for use in an emergency. There are many facets to consider but everyone in your household needs to know what to do and where to go in each of the possible scenarios: can’t get to your home, stuck in your home, evacuating your home, being out of contact. This information is useful in order to prepare appropriately for any severe weather event.

Severe weather includes rainfall greater than 50 millimetres within six hours or 100 millimetres within a 24 hour period. Before any severe weather event there are certain actions you can take to prevent damage and to assist evacuation if necessary: • Store any outdoor furniture or other items that can be picked up by strong winds • Make a list of emergency services telephone numbers (Fire, Police,

Council/ Civil Defence Emergency

Management office, ambulance, etc).

You may not have time in an emergency to look up critical numbers • Keep insurance policies, important documents (birth certificates, ownership certificates, passport, etc.) and other valuables in a waterproof container • Make sure you and members of your household know how to switch off gas, electricity and water supplies at the mains – even in the dark

• Check your household insurance policy for sufficient coverage and amount • Develop an emergency communication plan for your family (for all hazards) in case family members are separated from one another during a storm • Have emergency survival Items on hand, including essential medical requirements. If a situation is severe and flooding is imminent, follow the instructions and advice of emergency services and Civil Defence Emergency Management authorities.

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