Emergency Management Otago Consulting on New 10-year Group Plan

The “Four Rs” of Reduction, Readiness, Response and Recovery are front and centre of Emergency Management Otago’s new Group Plan, which has just been released for community consultation.

Stephen Woodhead, who chairs the Otago Civil Defence Emergency Management Group, said that the draft plan sets out an approach focused on working with and supporting communities before, during and after emergencies.

“All emergencies are essentially local, because even when they cover a wide area they have a direct impact on individuals, families and communities.

“We are looking to increase our communities’ knowledge about hazards and risks; reduce Otago’s exposure to hazards by increasing preparedness for adverse events; ensure we continually improve our response to emergencies; and support our communities to recover afterwards.”

Mr Woodhead said that Otago had a coordinated regional approach to emergency management that also enabled and supported each Council to make appropriate local arrangements. Emergency Management Otago staff in each district actively support communities to develop their own local response plans that reflect their unique conditions and requirements within a regionally consistent framework.

The review of the Group Plan has been underway for over a year and has included workshops in every district, and discussions with key stakeholders and partner agencies.

The full Draft Group Plan and a consultation summary are both online at www.otagocdem.govt.nz and printed copies of both documents are available at the main offices of each District, City and Regional Council in Otago.

Submissions on the draft Group Plan close on 29 April.

ENDS

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