Hamilton City Council is calling on residents to take part and check their emergency readiness, so our city is prepared if disaster strikes.
After a boil water notice affected 29,000 Hamiltonians earlier this week, Council is urging the community to check and update their emergency supplies or build an emergency kit if they don’t have one.
In keeping with the theme of preparedness, the national earthquake drill, ShakeOut, is next week, helping New Zealanders know what to do during the real thing.
It’s simple: at 9.30am on Thursday 16 October, drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck, and hold on to your shelter for one minute.
Robbie Hermann, Hamilton City Council’s Response and Resilience Manager, says practicing the ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold’ technique is vital.
“The truth is, you never know when disaster is going to strike. That’s why it’s important to practice and prepare now,” said Hermann.
Council plays a critical role in emergency management. Under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act, local authorities are required to plan for and respond to civil defence emergencies in their districts – including being able to function during and after an emergency.
“If a major quake were to hit Hamilton, no single agency could manage the response alone. Coordination and knowing our role are key to making sure those most affected get the help they need. We need the community to do their part to be prepared so we can prioritise an effective response.
One of Council’s Civil Defence PIM (Public Information Manager) trained staff Emily Coffey said while growing up in Christchurch, she never thought about earthquakes.
“The first time I felt an earthquake, it woke me up at 4am and I froze with fear. I think I knew the basics, but I’d never practiced. That September quake really prompted my family to get prepared and by the time the February quake hit, we knew exactly what to do.
“Practicing for an emergency is about muscle memory. Drop, cover, and hold becomes an instinct, so while our brains panic, our bodies know what to do to keep us safe,” said Coffey.
ShakeOut is a good time to reflect on emergency plans for yourself, whaanau, or workplace:
- Does your team know what to do during an earthquake?
- Do you have an emergency kit with food and water for three days?
- Where will you go if you need to evacuate your building?
- Do your people have a family emergency plan if roads are blocked or communications are down?
- Who will check on those who live alone or have mobility needs?
“Too often we hear, ‘It’s not worth thinking about.’ But the truth is, it is, and we must,” says Hermann.