COMMUNITY EFFORT FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE

A recent opportunity to sit down and chat to local emergency service providers proved popular for a number of Waikari and Hawarden residents.

A community meeting held at the Waikari Hall last week was an encouraging opportunity for around 40 locals to learn the ins and outs of what happens in an emergency, who does what, and where the whole community can help out.

The Hawarden-Waikari Civil Defence team, Neighbourhood Support, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, The Police, Red Cross, and St John all had a chance to speak to the audience about how to best cope in a natural weather event, a pandemic, an earthquake, and even during times of significant crime.

Co-Civil Defence Cooridnator for Hawarden/Waikari Sector Post Team Mel Ruck said the turnout was great, and everyone appreciated the importance of knowing your neighbour when it comes to emergencies.

“We all need to be prepared for what might get thrown at us, it’s about connecting with each other,” she said.

Familiar and new faces filled the room, as new people to the District saw it as a good opportunity to meet people, while significant weather events in the last 12 months has served as a reminder to many that preparedness cannot be ignored.

Hurunui District Council’s Emergency Management Officer Allan Grigg was at the meeting, and emphasised to the crowd that a Civil Defence operation can only be as effective as the effort a community is willing to put in.

He said it was a great evening for people to meet each other face to face, who down the track may also be helping each other.

“Vibrant resilient communities do better during emergencies, how do we make sure we achieve this?”

For more information about Civil Defence and how to be involved, email Allan on allan.grigg@hurunui.govt.nz.

There is also some helpful information on the NEMA website https://getready.govt.nz/