The better-prepared people are before an emergency, the less pressure there’s likely to be on the official response – which has the potential to be overwhelmed in a large-scale event.
A range of public resources is available to help households become more resilient and cope with a disaster.
Public preparedness
Wellington Region Emergency Management [WREMO] advises households to have a basic plan in place to keep connected and protect people, pets, and assets.
Food, water, pet supplies, medication, emergency lighting, and an emergency toilet are just some of the items they list.
The organisation has tips for making households and workplaces safer and for those in high-rise buildings.
Emergency hubs
In a disaster, official services will often be stretched and need to prioritise the most urgent callouts.
People who are not in immediate danger, are able to travel safely, and have checked on their family and neighbours, can go to their local Community Emergency Hub to find and offer help, and share and find local information.
The regions hubs include; the Martinborough Ambulance Station in Texas St; Anzac Hall in Featherston; 89 Main St in Greytown; Carterton Events Centre, 50 Holloway St; Masterton Primary School at 53 South Rd; Lansdowne Presbyterian Church Hall; Riversdale Beach Golf Club; Whareama Hall; and Wairarapa Sports Fishing Club in Castlepoint. Depending on the event, Emergency Assistance Centres with variable locations may also be set up.
Internet resources
The WREMO website and Facebook page contain useful information about the role households, workplaces, and the community can take before an event occurs.
During and after an emergency, Waka Kotahi NZTA, Metservice, Geonet, Civil Defence and the three local council’s Facebook and Twitter feeds, along with their websites, will be regularly updated.
More information is on the WREMO website at http://wremo.nz
