Aucklanders least prepared for disaster

Aucklanders are being urged to take steps to ensure they are ready to respond to an emergency.

Auckland Civil Defence controller Clive Manley says that the recent Christchurch earthquakes provide tragic reminders of the need for Aucklanders to be prepared for a disaster of any kind.

“The situation in Canterbury illustrates how important it is for everyone to have adequate water, food and an emergency plan,” he says.

“In a major disaster, emergency services cannot be everywhere at once and people need to be ready to help themselves by drawing on their own resources.”

A 2008 survey of 8,000 households by Statistics New Zealand revealed that 90 per cent of households with dependent children had not taken steps to ensure they had enough food and water for three days and developed a household emergency plan.

Aucklanders were less prepared than the rest of New Zealand, as only one-third [34 per cent] had stored water in case of an emergency, whereas almost half [49 per cent] of Kiwis had done this.

Volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, earthquakes, storms and flooding are among the natural disasters which threaten New Zealand’s largest city - home to almost 1.5 million people.

“Aucklanders need to hone their survival instincts and, as the TV commercials say, ‘get ready to get through’,” Mr Manley says.
Get Ready to Get Thru
To be prepared, you need:
• 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 whichever disasters may strike.
• Emergency Survival Kit
o Food and water for at least three 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, such as passports and drivers’ licences
o Personal items such as medication and toiletries.
More information about preparing for disaster is available online at www.getthru.govt.nz, including translated advice and resources in a range of languages.

ENDS

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is reminding New Zealanders that cash donations are the best way to help Cantabrians. Donations can be made via the Red Cross, Salvation Army and branches of the ANZ, National, Westpac, ASB, BNZ and Kiwibank banks. Details can be found at www.civildefence.govt.nz.

Useful websites

www.canterburyearthquake.org.nz
www.civildefence.govt.nz
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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