September 8, 2006

MEDIA RELEASE (For Immediate Release)

Report a Good Start

Detailed research into how well the Auckland region is prepared for a major disaster shows that much more needs to be done, says Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey.

Mayor Harvey was commenting on the release of a “Capability and Capacity Assessment” report commissioned by the Auckland Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.

“For some time I have been calling for a detailed analysis of how well we are prepared for a disaster that could see thousands evacuated and out of their homes for long periods,” Mayor Harvey says.

“This report asked the hard questions and we have received some very clear answers back. It shows that regionally there needs to be much better co-ordination as well as more training for emergency response personnel.”

Mayor Harvey also says that he fully supports the idea of setting up a properly resourced regional civil defence office, which is one of the recommendations of the report.

“Locally, and particularly here in Waitakere, we are in a good position to respond quickly to localised incidents. However major disasters are never localised – they are on a large scale and require a completely different type of response”.

Mayor Harvey congratulates the Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Group for the “upfront” way in which it has dealt with the report.

“This is not about naval gazing,” he says. “This report gives us a platform for some very concrete actions that must be taken.”

Meanwhile Mayor Harvey also urges residents to do their bit to ensure that they are as prepared as possible in the event of a major emergency.

“I urge people to visit the (regional) civil defence website (www.cdemg.org.nz) , to visit their own Council’s websites and read the back of the yellow pages to remind themselves of what every one of us can do to prepare ourselves for a disaster.”

ENDS

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