Emergencies can strike at any time, and being prepared is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your neighbourhood. The Papakura Local Board recently adopted the Papakura Emergency Readiness and Response Plan, a comprehensive guide to helping our community prepare for and respond to disasters effectively.
This plan is more than just a document—it’s a tool to empower Papakura residents to take charge of their safety and readiness. Let’s dive into what this plan offers and how you can use it to make a real difference.
What Is the Emergency Readiness and Response Plan?
This plan, developed with input from the community, outlines clear steps to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies like floods, storms, and earthquakes. It also highlights the importance of reducing risks to minimise damage when disasters occur.
Key features include:
- Top tips for getting ready: Practical advice on creating household emergency plans, preparing grab bags, and storing supplies.
- Localised maps: Identify flood-prone areas and evacuation zones specific to Papakura.
- Key contacts: Essential numbers for emergency services, utilities, and Auckland Council support.
Why It Matters
Papakura faces unique challenges, including flooding, coastal risks, and urban emergencies. With the effects of climate change increasing, the need for a resilient community has never been greater. Brent Catchpole, Chair of the Papakura Local Board, summarised it perfectly: “Spread the word. Let’s be prepared!”
The plan complements the efforts of the Community Resilience Network (CRN), which focuses on:
- Training volunteers for Community Emergency Hubs.
- Hosting Street Meets to build neighbourhood connections.
- Raising awareness through resilience training, including climate-readiness.
Together, these initiatives work to ensure our community is not only informed but also ready to act.
How Can You Use the Plan?
- Prepare Your Household
- Create a household emergency plan using the tips provided in the document.
- Keep emergency supplies in your home and car for at least three days.
- Practise evacuation routes and identify safe spaces with your whānau/family.
- Connect with Your Community
- Get to know your neighbours and share emergency plans.
- Learn where your nearest Community Emergency Hub or Civil Defence Centre is located.
- Stay Informed
- Save key emergency contact numbers.
- Follow official updates on social media or listen to local radio stations during emergencies.
- Volunteer and Get Involved
- Consider joining the Community Resilience Network or other local groups.
- Participate in training sessions to gain valuable skills that can help during emergencies.
The Role of Community
The Papakura Emergency Readiness and Response Plan is a collaborative effort. It relies on every resident to play their part in building a resilient community. By sharing the plan and encouraging others to prepare, you help ensure that Papakura is ready to face any challenge.
Download and Share the Plan Today
Visit the Papakura Local Board website to access the Emergency Readiness and Response Plan. Let’s work together to spread the word and strengthen our community’s resilience. For more tips and updates, follow the Papakura Community Resilience Network on Facebook.
