Neighbourhood Support
In an emergency, local help will be invaluable. Neighbourhoods contain people with a variety of skills and resources that can be used on the day. Through pooling and sharing, you and your neighbours should be able provide for basic needs and assist those who require extra help. If these issues are discussed with neighbours before an event, and a simple neighbourhood plan developed and distributed, everyone will be aware of neighbourhood strengths and weaknesses and therefore better prepared. The essentials of a Neighbourhood Plan are outlined below:
Before an Emergency..
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Know your neighbours - join or set up a Neighbourhood Support Group |
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Enquire and join the Readynet Emergency Preparedness Network. |
| Keep a register of the useful skills your neighbours have |
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Keep a register of the resources in your neighbourhood - bbqs, tools, etc |
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Keep a register of those neighbours who have special needs |
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Distribute the register to all neighbours and keep it up to date |
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Nominate a place where the neighbourhood can meet after a disaster |
After An Emergency...
- Everyone should establish their own and their family's safety.
- Assist your immediate neighbours.
- Report to your neighbourhood's pre-arranged meeting place.
- Form search and rescue teams with a minimum of three people in each.
- Search your neighbourhood and rescue anyone entrapped.
- Ascertain injuries and apply the principles of Disaster Medicine.
- Mark each house with a large 'X' on main entrance after the search.
- Keep written records of each house searched.
- Monitor radio broadcasts.
- Nominate someone to report to the nearest Civil Defence Centre.
By pooling a neighbourhood's human and material resources, the situation for everyone is greatly enhanced. If possible, Neighbourhood Support Groups in the area should link together under one Group Co-ordinator who liaises with the nearest Civil Defence Centre to give or receive help for the greater group. Neighbourhood Support Groups can be active in preparing and planning for the disaster event, as well as carrying out a disaster response role. The role of a group in an emergency is one of mutual assistance and the sharing of expertise and equipment.
For further information regarding our new network please email us.
Hutt Valley Emergency Management
or you can phone
04 570 6447