Media Release
12 September 2006

Civil defence research shows improvements needed

Manukau City Council welcomes a report that takes an in-depth look at the Auckland region’s ability to cope in a civil defence emergency.

Chief Executive Leigh Auton says that the Capacity and Capability report will allow councils and other agencies in the region to address specific issues and problems to ensure that if a disaster hit the region then it would be well managed.

“Planning for a civil defence disaster requires an ongoing commitment to improvement and this research provides not just councils but also emergency services and utility providers with a valuable snapshot of where we are at right now, and where, and how big, the gaps actually are.

“We know that there are some areas that need urgent and significant improvement, in particular the integration of different agencies across the region, and Manukau is committed to playing its part to address these.

“With so many agencies involved, the sheer number of people in the Auckland region, and the decisions that need to be made in an emergency, there will always be room for improvement. This is not a bad thing.

“It is also important to remember that coping with a disaster isn’t just the responsibility of councils and emergency services. Everyone needs to play their part, and take a few steps now to prepare a B-ready kit to help ensure that they and their families are better equipped to cope when a disaster happens.”

Mayor of Manukau city, Sir Barry Curtis says that the region’s Civil Defence and Emergency Group should be congratulated for being proactive and taking a national leadership role.

“We are making lots of progress and have learnt from major international disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2004 tsunami, and from exercises like Pacific Wave earlier this year. We know that there is no easy fix, but we must tackle the issues head on.”

Manukau City Council is in the process of looking specifically at its own processes during an emergency, and will be combining this with the regional research to identify changes needed to ensure that the city is as resilient as possible in a disaster.

ENDS

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