Taranaki has new blueprint for Civil Defence Emergency Management.

A new Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group Plan was signed off today (11 September) after a thorough five-yearly review of the previous plan.

The Taranaki CDEM Group Chairman, Taranaki Regional Councillor Brian Jeffares, says the reviewed plan places strong emphasis on implementation of the “four Rs” of Civil Defence: Risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

“Events in Christchurch and around the world have made everyone more aware of the unpredictability and potentially devastating effects of natural and man-made calamities,” says Mr Jeffares. “Public understanding and expectations about disaster response have also increased.”

He says the new plan draws on the lessons learned in disasters such as the Canterbury earthquakes. It details the CDEM Group’s goals over the next five years, the reasons the goals have been set, and the methods that will be used to achieve them.

“But it’s vital to remember that the four Rs are not solely the responsibility of a Civil Defence organisation. In particular, risk reduction and readiness are the responsibility of the whole community.”

Other key features of the new plan include:

A focus on developing community and business continuity planning.

An emphasis on the use of technical expertise.

An expectation that Civil Defence Emergency Management in Taranaki will increase its capacity and capability.

Mr Jeffares says the Group has been pragmatic about what it intends to deliver, focusing on what will really make a difference to Taranaki.

The Taranaki CDEM Group is made up of the Taranaki Regional Council and the region’s three district councils, supported by a range of agencies and infrastructure providers. Its operations are overseen by a Co-ordinating Executive Group of council and agency officials, and administered by the Taranaki Regional Council.

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