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CommunityWhile disasters can strike our region or the country, impact is always felt at the community level although it may hit one or several communities at once. These communities constitute what is referred to as “disaster fronts”. Being at the forefronts, communities need to have capacity to respond to threats themselves. It is for this reason that communities should be involved in managing the risks that may threaten their well-being.
Creating Community Response Plans
Residents of Haumoana, Te Awanga and Clifton have been creating a Community Response Plan for how to “Get Ready, Get Thru” in a civil defence emergency. This was a pilot project for Hawke's Bay.
A Community Response Plan aims to:
- Develop the community’s response and recovery plans
- Involve the community in risk reduction and readiness activities
- Move the community toward independence, rather than dependence and reliance on third parties
When the next civil defence emergency hits Te Awanga, Haumoana or Clifton, residents will be more prepared than ever before. While Hastings District Council facilitated the group coming together, local people on the group have taken charge and come up with some great ways for residents to deal with a range of emergency situations, like earthquakes, flooding and tsunami.
In April 2011 Hastings Civil Defence tested a Public Alerting System in Haumoana, Te Awanga and Clifton running their mobile PA/Siren through the area, which the community decided was the best system for them.
“The plan, and the process around creating it, is now a pilot plan for other communities in Hawke’s Bay who want to improve their reaction and resilience to civil defence emergencies.
If you are interested in developing a 'Community Response Plan' in your area, get in touch with your local Civil Defence staff. |
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Earthquake Survivors Afternoon Tea
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Last year was the 80th Anniversary of the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake and a commemoration was a special time for many people who came from near and far to mark the occasion.
Survivors of the 1931 Earthquake were guests at a special afternoon tea on the 5 February 2011. The afternoon tea was organised jointly by Napier City Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Civil Defence, Hawke’s Bay Art Deco Trust, Hawke’s Bay Red Cross, The Tennyson (hotel) and Napier Boys’ High School.
“As time passes, more survivors are taking the time to get together at these occasions,” says Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott. She cut the cake with the oldest survivor present, Bev Williams (98) and the youngest survivor, Morris Nichol, who was born in Napier only 20 minutes before the quake struck.
It was a particularly special occasion for NZ Red Cross and Civil Defence personnel - the NZ Red Cross was established in the wake of the 1931 earthquake and today’s Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) systems also had their origins with the quake.
Some things haven’t changed since 1931 - people and communities still need to be prepared for future hazards and to support one another in time of crisis. Learn more about being prepared for the next one.
Plans are now well underway for the next morning tea to be held on Sunday 12 February 2012. The event will again be at Napier Boys High, starting at 2pm with doors open at 1.15pm. Invitations have been sent out and over 100 replies have been received todate.
Photographs show the nearly 300 survivors of the 1931 Hawke's Bay Earthquake gathered with family and friends at Napier Boys' High School on Saturday, 5 February 2011 for the annual commemorative afternoon tea.
Below Eileen Mogridge and Nancy Rees show a picture of Napier Technical College where in 1931 8 boys and 1 Girl were lost in their school.
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Deputy Mayor of Napier
Kathie Furlong shares out cake
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Left: Euan McGregor HBRC Deputy Chairman
shares earthquake memories with Jack Dunlop
former secretary of the HB Catchment Board,
while the Red Cross above celebrates too.
Clara Berkahn braved the heat in period dress! |
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