Civil Defence and Emergency Management

Overview

Due to its location and environment New Zealand faces many potential disasters. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and storms can occur at any time - sometimes without warning. All disasters have the potential to cause significant disruption, damage to property and harm.

The Stratford District has experienced extreme weather in the past, resulting in some communities being cut off for long periods of time.

In an emergency

Should the District Mayor declare a state of Civil Defence Emergency, the appointed Civil Defence Controller will then be responsible for coordinating services such as fire, police, ambulance, and welfare services in the response effort.

During an emergency in Stratford, the Civil Defence Controller will be located at the Civil Defence Emergency Centre at the War Memorial Centre on Miranda Street.

Should the emergency escalate and affect other districts, there will most likely be a regional state of Civil Defence Emergency declared for the entire area by the Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.

Emergency planning

CDEM is responsible for planning and preparing for a whole range of emergencies in Taranaki and for coordinating risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.

The Stratford District Council is part of the Taranaki CDEM group, along with representatives from New Plymouth District Council, South Taranaki District Council and Taranaki Regional Council.

Are you prepared?

A disaster could disrupt roads, electricity, telecommunications and water, and effect your ability to travel or communicate.

You could be confined to your home, or forced to evacuate your neighbourhood. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, emergency services will not be able to get help to everyone as quickly as needed.

This is when you are likely to be most vulnerable so it is important to plan to look after yourself and your loved ones for at least three days or more in the event of a disaster.

Start your emergency preparedness by visiting getready.govt.nz or by picking up a copy of "Are You Prepared" brochure from Council's Service Centre on Miranda Street.

Some things to include in your emergency survival kit:

Tinned food	Batteries, torch, small radio	Toiletry items, toilet paper
First aid kit & personal medication	Matches	Pet food
Emergency cash	Copies of important documents	Tarpaulin
Pocket knife	Water & water purification tablets	Survival blanket, warm clothing & walking shoes

Business Continuity Planning

Look after you staff, your clients, and your bottom line with a Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

Disruptions are an expected part of running a business.

COVID-19 showed us that restricted site access, supply challenges, and labour shortages can very suddenly become the norm.

Disruptions and emergencies are not just global pandemics and earthquakes, it could be an IT failure or a long-term absence of a high-value team member.

Having a BCP in place before the next big disruption will give you a better chance of recovering quickly and being less susceptible to external shocks.

Taranaki Civil Defence and Emergency Management have made business continuity planning easy for you!

You can download their BCP guide and template here.