Emergencies Prior to a State of Local Emergency

When an emergency involves Hutt City Council and/or Upper Hutt City Council, the Hutt Valley Emergency Management Office (HVEMO) is responsible for co-ordinating the response tasks. The emergencies may include events such as flooding, earthquake, landslides, or chemical incidents. They might not initially be significant or requiring full civil defence measures. 

The HVEMO may initiate their Emergency Standing Operating Procedures, and the Emergency Operations Centre, to manage and co-ordinate the emergency response. Depending on the nature of the emergency, the relevant council divisions, such as Road and Traffic Division and contractors such as Capacity may activate their emergency plans.  

When the EOC is activated, the Police and Fire Service, together with any other relevant representatives, form part of the Incident Management Team within the Emergency Operations Centre.

If the emergency threatens to become a major disaster, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Local Controller (depending on availability) can declare a State of Local Emergency.

The HVEMO is responsible for managing response to all local civil defence emergencies. Staff are trained to work in any type of emergency event, small or large, leading to a seamless transition when an event escalates to a State of Local Emergency.