Thorndon / Pipitea Community Response Plan The Thorndon Residents’ Association in partnership with the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office © 2014 June 2014 This plan will be reviewed in August 2015 Plan Owner: Thorndon Residents’ Association
For further inquiries, contact: Jodye Tomalin, Emergency Management Advisor, Wellington and Lower Hutt. Wellington Region Emergency Management Office
[email protected]
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Plan Approval This Community Response Plan has been developed by the Thorndon Residents’ Association in partnership with key stakeholders from the Thorndon/Pipitea Community, local emergency services and the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office. This plan has been accepted by the undersigned:
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Mayor – Wellington City Council
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Thorndon Resident’s Association
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Local Council Civil Defence Controller
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WREMO Emergency Management Advisor
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Contents Plan Approval......................................................................................................... 2 Background and process ........................................................................................ 6 Where the CRP fits ........................................................................................... 7 CRP Scope ........................................................................................................ 8 Stakeholders .................................................................................................... 9 Community Profile ......................................................................................... 10 Thorndon/Pipitea is regarded as one of New Zealand's oldest and most historic residential suburbs, and as such holds significant heritage values. ... 10 Community Values ......................................................................................... 11 Community Hazardscape ............................................................................... 12 Community Impact Assessment ..................................................................... 14 Community SWOC Analysis ............................................................................ 17 Local Hazard Warning Systems ...................................................................... 19 Civil Defence Information Sources ................................................................. 20 Community - Critical Needs ................................................................................. 21 Community - Coordinating the Response............................................................. 26 Civil Defence Centres ..................................................................................... 26 Role of Community Response Plan Stakeholders in a Civil Defence Centre .... 26 Thorndon / Pipitea Civil Defence Centre ........................................................ 27 Information relevant for your Emergency Operations Centre ........................ 28 Costs incurred during an emergency .............................................................. 29
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
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Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Summary Besides considerably improving awareness of vulnerabilities to natural disasters in Thorndon/Pipitea, the purpose of this document is to empower the Thorndon/Pipitea community to respond. The situation analysis provides new insights, the need to reset community expectations, and a need to empower the community to take an active role whenever a major disaster strikes. The document outlines understandings of a community stakeholder group convened during 2014 by the Thorndon Residents' Association (TRA) and the Wellington Region Emergency Response Office (WREMO). This document presents the expectations in regard to the role that the Thorndon/Pipitea community can play in a major natural disaster. The objective has been to highlight the realities and challenges that arise when a large event seriously impedes any possibility of an early official response. The assumption is that the event has a level of disruption that the community would need to cope with its own resources for at least 3 days and quite possibly longer. In these circumstances the community itself must coordinate initial responses. The purpose of this document is to outline this reality, and the role the community is empowered to play. It does not cover all circumstances i.e. this document doesn’t delve into detail. The Thorndon/Pipitea community is encouraged to use this document as a starting point; to review and reappraise the situation annually, and consider ways to develop more detailed plans over time with initiatives that could assist coordinators in the early days of a major disaster. The first rules of community-driven preparedness are emphasised: - planning begins at home - get to know neighbours - get familiar with who lives in the street, or in the building - know the location of the Civil Defence Centre (CDC) - understand that you and your community are empowered to open the CDC (which is not a welfare centre), and that the CDC may need to coordinate things for quite some time before official resources are able to provide support.
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Background and process A Community Response Plan (CRP) is a plan developed by the community outlining how that community will respond in a disaster, especially if the community is cut off or the emergency service response is delayed or limited. The CRP is focused on managing the initial period (the first 24 – 72 hours following a significant emergency event) when a community could be out of touch with the rest of the district or region, and seeks to improve community preparedness to the possibility of such a scenario eventuating. The CRP helps enable a community to take some initial independent action to start looking after itself. To be effective, it is essential that CRPs are ‘owned’ by the community. This means that they must be led and developed by the community because ultimately it is the community that knows their area best and will implement the CRP in an emergency event. In a time of crisis, members of a community will organically want to come together to assist one another; a Community Response Plan helps to coordinate and speed up this process. Outcomes from developing a Community Response Plan include: • • • • • • •
an appreciation of local hazards and the likely impacts/effects of those hazards; awareness of local hazard warning systems and sources for civil defence information; an opportunity to build positive working relationships amongst local leaders prior to a disaster event; clarification of roles, responsibilities and improved management of local strategic resources; identification, development or mitigation of any preparedness opportunities or gaps; an opportunity to disseminate key emergency preparedness information to the wider community; and a chance to establish a foundation for the continued development of community resilience to emergency events.
This Plan is a living document. To ensure the Plan remains relevant and up-to-date with new hazard information and changes to local contacts, the Plan needs to be regularly reviewed. The planning process may also identify community preparedness strengths, opportunities, weakness or challenges that need further work to develop or resolve. A regular review cycle provides an opportunity to review progress on these initiatives and an opportunity to re-establish relationships between stakeholders. Page 6 of 30
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Where the CRP fits Diagram 1 below defines emergency preparedness as a system that links households, businesses, neighbourhoods, and the community, right through to local and central government. Diagram 1:
C D
CIVIL DEFENCE CENTRE
To effectively respond and recover from an emergency event the system relies on engagement initiatives that build capacity (the sharing of knowledge and skills), strengthen connectedness and improve cooperation. The outcome of this process of engagement is greater coordination within and between levels, which results in a quicker and more efficient response and more realistic expectations regarding roles, responsibilities and resource use. The diagram highlights that the foundation of preparedness begins in your home, workplace and neighbourhood. The CRP process comes in at a slightly higher level and engages with community leaders or key community resource holders to provide an opportunity for these parties to share their knowledge and skills, build relationships and work cooperatively to improve their collective capacity to lead and influence their community’s response in an emergency event. Communication flows within the system are designed to be both top down and bottom up (i.e. each level has the capacity to influence the other). For example outcomes of the CRP process will be filtered down to the neighbourhood and household level as well as upward
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
to local and central government level, and during a response the community can link in with the official government response via community activated Civil Defence Centres.
CRP Scope This Community Response Plan covers the geographical area defined by the boundaries of the suburbs of Thorndon and Pipitea. The Plan focuses on developing the capacity of the community to self- activate and respond more effectively during the first 24 – 72 hours following a large scale emergency event when the community could be isolated or left to act on its own.
The CRP process is aimed at better preparing the community for the worst case scenario (a large earthquake event), on the proviso that a community that is prepared for the impact of a big earthquake, will also be better prepared to deal with other smaller scale emergency events.
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Stakeholders The following list of stakeholders were involved in developing this Community Response Plan:
Thorndon Residents, Association Thorndon New World Supermarket Pipitea Marae Wellington Free Ambulance Australian High Commission American Embassy Queen Margaret College Thorndon School Compass Health
Birchington Court Body Corp New Zealand Fire Service New Zealand Police Archdiocese of Wellington Local Residents from different precincts in Thorndon/Pipitea Wellington City Council Certified Builders
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Community Profile Thorndon/Pipitea is regarded as one of New Zealand's oldest and most historic residential suburbs, and as such holds significant heritage values. It is bounded by the communities of Kaiwharawhara and Wadestown to the north, Wilton and Northland to the west, with Kelburn and Wellington Central CBD on the southern boundary. The 2013 census gives the population of Thorndon-Pipitea as 4266 usual residents, however this number swells to perhaps three times this number with commuters and students flowing in from throughout Wellington region for work and school during the week. Pipitea comprises the Parliamentary precinct as well as part of the campus of Victoria University. On the harbourside of Pipitea there is the port, including two Cook Strait ferry terminals, the railway yards and Railway Station, and the Wellington Regional Stadium (Wespac Stadium). The geographic and infrastructure characteristics of Thorndon/Pipitea are likely to provide challenges for those within the area, or needing to return to their homes here, following a serious event. Although both the National Crisis Management Centre (below the Beehive) and the WREMO are situated within this area, neither will be of specific use to the Thorndon/Pipitea community, or to the many people who may be immobilised in the area. During any significant emergency response the national and regional control centres will be dedicated to setting-up and dealing with overarching responsibilities focused on the region, and on controlling the national response. Thorndon/Pipitea has special profiles due to all the lifelines and hazards that pass through the suburb. The area is at the nexus of the Wellington Fault Line, the Wellington Urban Motorway, the main trunk railway, key water and energy infrastructure, and the Cook Strait ferry terminals. The western residential side of the suburb sits atop the Wellington Fault, at the foot of the Te Ahumairangi Hill. Other parts of the suburbs are on raised and reclaimed harbour-bed or old stream beds. These increase the likelihood of failure of key infrastructure and buildings in this area, which would cause major disruption, dislocations and may contribute to loss of life. Disruptions could be extreme; everyone trying to depart the city may be initially impeded from doing so, and the ability for assistance to enter the city is likely to be limited in the immediate aftermath. There are five schools operating in the area. This involves about 3,650 school children and teachers. Additionally there will be students on Victoria University’s Pipitea campus, and crèches with young children separated from parents. Page 10 of 30
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During business hours it is assumed that many people would try to evacuate the CBD, some making their way toward the more open spaces in places such as Pipitea and Thorndon. The numbers of displaced people moving likely to move through Thorndon/Pipitea soon after a major event could overwhelm the local community.
Community Values One of the most important goals of a Community Response Plan is to develop a plan that builds on or preserves the intrinsic things that a community values and would want to draw upon in a disaster or preserve and protect during any recovery. At the start of each CRP process stakeholders are asked to identify the things they value most about their community. The following is a summary of the values the 2014 stakeholder working group felt encapsulates the special qualities of the Thorndon Community:
The heritage aspect and collection of old buildings and homes The history associated to the area – parliament, cathedrals, etc. Historic pubs and eating establishments Primary and secondary schools as well as childcare centres The fact there is an active Residents’ Association Historic parks and greenery Tinakori Village shops and community The business/government precinct with a significant daytime population The mix of demographics, covering all age groups and several ethnic groups Proximity to CBD and the city’s amenities
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Community Hazardscape Hazards facing Thorndon are the same or similar to those facing many parts of the Wellington Region. The predominant hazards include: earthquake, floods, liquefaction, landslides, storms, tsunami, as well as chemical and other man made hazards such as electrical failure. The most likely hazard to quickly isolate Thorndon is a large earthquake that damages roads, and causes landslides and liquefaction. To a lesser extent a long distance tsunami, or a prolonged power cut could have a similar impact on the community. A significant earthquake event is likely to result in multiple hazards happening at once, examples include: ground shaking, liquefaction, slope failure, and possibly a local source tsunami. It could also result in multiple adverse impacts: large slips, damaged roads, building rubble, collapsed bridges, lifeline failure, fire, and people trapped, injured, displaced or killed. Fire is a major concern for Thorndon, especially following a large scale event such as an earthquake which would see emergency service’s priorities diverted elsewhere. Old wooden houses built close together means that fire would spread very rapidly, especially in windy conditions. There would be little the community could do to prevent this, or to extinguish once the fire starts. Community members and public need to be aware to stay out of the path of fire. The picture below highlights the Wellington Fault passing through Thorndon. The significance of this is that a funnel to arterial/main roads and motorways to the Hutt Valley and Ngauranga Gorge and beyond. This will be the area where Wellington’s entrance and exit point is impeded. This would also affect buses, trains and ferries.
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Community Impact Assessment An impact assessment was undertaken using the scenario of a significant earthquake (magnitude 7.5) affecting the Thorndon area Injured, trapped & needing urgent assistance Many people could be injured or trapped in buildings, and many homes could be extensively damaged by seismic movement and liquefaction. This could result in some residents needing rescue, medical treatment or alternative accommodation. Access to hospitals, local medical facilities and pharmacies could be limited due to the lack of Thorndon based facilities, and those there are not being staffed by local residents if the emergency is outside working hours. Damaged or blocked roads could also impede access. Many residents will have limited means or capacity to look after themselves when normal support services are no longer working, and some more vulnerable people (e.g. the elderly, disabled, medically unwell) will need to be checked on and may require urgent assistance to survive. Overwhelmed or uncoordinated Emergency Response Locally based emergency services and council staff are limited, and will try to respond to protect or rescue people but could be quickly overwhelmed or delayed by the scale of the event. A loss of communications with their emergency service communications centres could make it difficult for local emergency services to effectively prioritise their efforts, however responses will be coordinated and directed in the first instance through centralized systems rather than local community coordination as much as possible. The community needs to have a realistic expectation of the very limited services emergency services will be able to provide in the immediate aftermath of a large scale event. Access/Communications A large earthquake could result in a significant amount of debris across the city, and the entire region. Normal State Highway 1 and State Highway 2 access routes to the city could be closed for 2 weeks or more, and roads within the city may become impassable by vehicle. Rail, port and airport facilities will also be affected. In the immediate term they will stop operating to check for damage, this is likely to be long term in a large scale event due to the high probability of significant damage. Thorndon sits on the edge of Wellington City and as such will be used as a thoroughfare by large numbers of people passing through, most likely on foot, to get home to their suburbs. Road, tunnel and bridge damage means this will take far longer than usual.
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Telephone and cell phone networks are likely to be damaged, disrupted or quickly overloaded following a large earthquake.
Welfare of the Displaced The damaged road and rail network could isolate many local commuters for several days. These commuters could be left stranded and in need of food, water, medical help and shelter from the community. The volume of people needing help and the number of casualties could be a burden on the Thorndon Community, which should be taken into account. Parents working outside Wellington CBD may struggle to pick up their children from the five schools within Thorndon. There is a population of approximately 3650 school children in Thorndon during the week, some of these children will live within walking distance of their school. Beyond 24 hours some local schools and child care centres could need assistance looking after children. In some locations houses could be damaged and rendered unsafe to live in, or some people may be left too upset to want to live alone. A tsunami threat could also result in self-evacuation from Wellington CBD up towards Thorndon, which could add to the demand for local support and shelter, etc. Food The damaged road network and power failure could make food resupply or funds to purchase food impossible. Thorndon has one supermarket, there is also a supermarket within the Railway Station in Pipitea, as well as several smaller grocery stores in the area with limited capacity to supply food and goods to the community for much longer than a couple of days. Access to these stores could also be impeded and the stores themselves could become hazard zones with fallen shelves and broken glass. Food could become a scare resource that may require protecting and controlled distribution. Water Slips and ground shaking will likely affect the ground water table, stream and river flow paths and overall water quality throughout the city. Power and gas mains are also vulnerable to failure in a large earthquake and could take some time to repair. Water could become a scare resource throughout Wellington City, including Thorndon. The community may want to investigate ways to ensure households store emergency water, and that water available to the public is distributed in a controlled manner.
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Sanitation A lack of clean water, access to toilet facilities and spilled sewage will increase the risk of sickness and disease without good sanitation techniques and a clear understanding on the best ways to self-manage urine and excrement disposal. This is especially true for those who live in apartment buildings and have no backyard to build temporary sanitation facilities.
Animal Welfare Animals and pets could also be adversely affected and require care or control. It is also important to be aware of people who may be unwilling to evacuate unsafe homes due to not being able to find their pets. It is a resident’s responsibility, wherever possible, to restrain and look after their own animals.
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Community SWOC Analysis A SWOC analysis was undertaken to assess Thorndon Community’s current resilience to a large earthquake event as at May 2014. This analysis is to be reassessed during each CRP review. Strengths
Good Community Facilities – open spaces, churches, school, Marae
Close proximity to CBD, and WREMO office. If communications are down can use a ‘runner’ to communicate to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC)
Existing network of Thorndon Residents’ Association with drive for better preparedness
Locally based supermarket & numerous smaller stores and eating establishments
Higher socio-economic area means the community have more means to better prepare themselves
Weaknesses
Many high rise buildings where people work from outside the area, may need support if they can’t get home after a large scale event
Large number of people not aware of tsunami warning – many waiting for a siren to go off
5 schools in the area mean approximately 3650 children who may need support, also several childcare centres in the area
Different day/night profile due to large number of people travelling into the CBD for work
No community centre
Thorndon ‘funnel’. People may become ‘trapped’ in and around Thorndon if they can’t get home
Traffic issues if roads are damaged
Opportunities
Hills in the area for evacuation in case of tsunami – although need to be aware of the risk of rock falls and landslides
Some open space for emergency tents, toilets, etc.
A locally based supermarket and numerous other supporting businesses
Buildings that could act as community gathering points or shelter – School halls, churches, Marae
Walking distance to many large resources, such as the New World supermarket
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Challenges
Wellington fault line passes directly through Thorndon, close to Tinakori Road and across lower Thorndon Quay
Unrealistic expectations regarding capacity of emergency services and civil defence
Topography of the area gives a means of evacuation for tsunami, but also means prone to landslides and makes it difficult to get external resources into the area
Old infrastructure, including gas and water pipes. Pass through Thorndon and prone to damage. Karori dam is also close by and if it bursts could result in flooding
Resources, e.g. fire, parliament, police, etc. not on high ground
Historic streams which may flood, lack of knowledge about where they are and flooding potential
Potential collapse of motorway flyover and overbridges from the Terrace to Thorndon
Managing community food and water resources during a significant disaster
Better educating the public on tsunami hazard warnings and tsunami zones
Combating complacency and encouraging people to get better prepared
Security and looting risks/traffic management
Checking on and looking after vulnerable people
Encouraging vulnerable people to get better prepared
How to provide consistent messaging to the public during an emergency
Potential influx of stranded commuters needing medical help, shelter, food and water
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Local Hazard Warning Systems In a number of emergency events there may be time for official warnings to be given. Examples include: an approaching weather event, regional or internationally generated tsunami, rural fire or pandemic. It is important that the public are aware of local hazard warning systems.
Local Source Tsunami - potentially 10 minutes or less notice of arrival.
Wellington City has no tsunami sirens for local source tsunami
Regional & Distant Source Tsunami potentially 1 – 3 hours’ notice of arrival.
Television and radio media
The only warning of a locally generated tsunami will be the earthquake itself. If the earthquakes goes on for longer than one minute, or you can’t stand up in it, immediately evacuate by foot to your nearest high ground.
Social media sites & news websites (e.g. www.getprepared.co.nz; www.facebook.com/WREMOnz; www.stuff.co.nz; www.civildefence.co.nz) Informal warnings from family, friends or the public. This information may need to be verified. Council & Emergency Service Tsunami Warnings
River & Stream Flood Events
Metservice: www.metservice.com/towns-cities/wellington
Storm & Other Weather Events
Television and radio media
Other Emergency Incidents (e.g. rural fire or a hazardous spill)
Television, radio media, social media & news websites
Television and radio media
Metservice website, Facebook or twitter alerts.
Emergency services
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Wellington Region Tsunami Warning There are three types of tsunami categorized by their source: locally generated (e.g. earthquake in the Cook Straight or off the East Coast of NZ), regionally generated (e.g. earthquake off the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu or Samoa) and distant source tsunami (e.g. earthquake off Chile or Peru). In a locally generated tsunami the only reliable warning the community will receive is the earthquake itself. There is unlikely to be enough time for an official warning. In a regional or distant source tsunami there is more chance for an official warning, and in addition to warnings issued by the media, the Ministry of Civil Defence, Wellington City Council, Wellington Region Emergency Management Office and local emergency services will do everything they can to physically warn coastal communities of a tsunami threat.
Civil Defence Information Sources
WREMO: www.getprepared.co.nz WREMO Facebook: www.facebook.com/WREMOnz Wellington City Council: wellington.govt.nz Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management: www.civildefence.govt.nz
Radio stations will also be broadcasting emergency information, much of which will be through liaison with the Emergency Operations Centres. Historically Civil Defence have provided a list of radio station frequencies for the public to tune into, however this is no longer the case and everybody is encouraged to scan through all radio channels until arriving at a station that is broadcasting relevant information.
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Community - Critical Needs This section of the Plan lists a summary of the skills and resources available within Thorndon in response to eight critical needs relevant to all communities following a largescale emergency event, when there could be limited external support or direction, particularly in the first 24 – 72 hours. This section also details important information that the public needs to know before and during an emergency so that they can better prepare and respond with their community.
1.
Everyone has water to drink within 24 hours
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Public information/education
Thorndon School
Either 2 x 10 000 litre or 1 x 25 000 litre water tank to be installed by WCC in next 12 months
Distribution will need to be controlled and monitored
Thorndon Pool
The pool is empty during winter, but holds 657 000 litres capacity during summer
Chlorinated water – not good for drinking but can be used for washing
Thorndon New World
Water available for purchase, however supplies are limited and are likely to be depleted within 24 hours based on past experience
As per below, encourage public to store their own water
Minimum of 3 litres per person per day per household
Constant reminders of need to store water and why
Household water storage
Allocation of water from supermarkets may be done so in a controlled way, through the CDC
Information on where water can be found during an emergency Push 200 liter water tanks, sold at WCC
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
2.
Everyone has eaten within 24 hours
People/Agencies & Role
3.
Resources
Public information/education
Thorndon New World
Groceries and food/water items for a few days, public likely to panic and rush to buy food, stocks will likely run out very quickly
People need to store food supplies at home, don’t assume will be able to source it during or after a large scale emergency. Try to avoid storing food that requires water for cooking, such as rice and pasta.
Various restaurants and pubs throughout Thorndon
Immediate food on hand, however no large stores
Consider alternative cooking facilities such as barbecues in the event of no power
Pipitea Marae
Function facility and large kitchen
With 48 hours the community is starting to coordinate its Search & Rescue
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Public information/education
NZ Fire
Major building collapse rescue only
The focus for the fire service will be within the CBD and other jobs as directed by Fire Comms. Suburban public should not rely on their assistance for the first 72 hours
Local Community members and volunteers
Door to door house checks
Encourage Neighbourhood Preparedness plans using WREMO It’s Easy resources
It’s Easy: Prepared Households and It’s Easy: Prepared Neighbours will soon be available in Sri Lankan Tamil, Latin American Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Burmese, Samoan, Arabic, Russian, Somali
Awareness of vulnerable groups, e.g. elderly, disabled, English as second language. Get to know them now, rather than after an emergency
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4.
Everyone has a suitable place to go toilet within 48 hours
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Public information/education
Open space for communal sanitation fields if required Possibility of chemical toilets, portaloos, however not likely in immediate response
5.
Information on where to buy: www.composttoilets.co.nz or how to make an emergency toilet: http://www.getprepared.org.nz/toilets
Information on the importance of maintaining good hygiene and having sufficient water for cleaning – It’s Easy Guides
High number of apartment dwellers who will be unable to flush their toilets due to damaged sewage systems. Promote use of buckets and bags
People can access medical assistance within 48 hours
People/Agencies & Role Thorndon Medical Centre
Resources 2 x Doctors who do not live locally Local Emergency Groups (LEGs) being formed in the area which means local health professionals will make their way to closest medical centre if emergency outside working hours Defibrillators for Thorndon are at the following locations: Beca Thorndon Pool ACC Police National HQ
Public information/education
Trained medical staff who live but do not work in Thorndon to make contact through dissemination of the plan
Due to lack of immediate medical resources the community should be aware that first aid begins at home and in your neighbourhood. Encourage first aid courses and first aid kits
Keep stocks of required medication
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Public information/education
Café Classic NZ Red Cross Min of Health NZ Rugby House NZ Contractor’s Federation National Library
6.
WFA provide
People have access to a safe place to rest within 24 hours
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Archdiocese of Wellington
Open spaces to erect shelter
Pipitea Marae
Can comfortably accommodate up to 500 people, have mattresses for sleeping
Queen Margaret College and Thorndon School Hotels in Thorndon – Kingsgate Hotel? Other Churches and halls, including Wellington Girls High School
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Halls and gymnasiums for shelter
Public information/education Stay at home if it is safe to do so and support your neighbours – It’s Easy Guides Develop a safe alternative to your home as part of your household plan - ‘It’s Easy’ Household Guide
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
7.
Vulnerable people’s needs are being met
People/Agencies & Role
Resources
Catholic Centre
Some counsellors and social workers may be available
Other Church Groups
Large links to the community, maybe able to provide support
Public information/education Find out who in your street will need assistance in an emergency– ‘Its Easy Neighbours’ Guide Schools & school teachers need to have good response plans due to the potential of children being displaced – It’s Easy Guides Identification of interpreters/those who speak other languages in the community to assist with getting key messages out
8.
Animal welfare is provided for livestock and companion animals
People/Agencies & Role Individual community members need to be responsible for their own pets, including microchipping for ease of reunification if required
Resources Limited resources.
Public information/education Be aware that some people may be unwilling to evacuate unsafe buildings if they cannot locate pets. Possible work could be done with SPCA or WCC animal control to encourage registering of dogs? Information guidelines, pet emergency kits
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Community - Coordinating the Response Civil Defence Centres A Civil Defence Centre (CDC) is an official gathering point for the community after a significant emergency. CDCs are opened and run by the community as a means to:
share resources and skills; gather and share information on what has happened provide basic psychological comfort and support to one another; make contact with the District’s Emergency Operations Centre; and coordinate the community’s response
Role of Community Response Plan Stakeholders in a Civil Defence Centre A key outcome of the CRP process is the realisation amongst stakeholders of the importance of information sharing and working together to problem solve. A CDC can help accommodate this by acting as a pre-determined meeting place to start developing a coordinated community response. Whilst there is no guarantee that stakeholders will be available on the day of a disaster, it is hoped that as a result of the CRP process, they will do their best to either:
help establish and assist with the running of a CDC (perhaps even taking a leadership role if appropriate); liaise with their local CDC; or ensure their staff or other members of their organisation are aware of the role a CDC plays and how they can use it to link with the community and district response.
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Thorndon / Pipitea Civil Defence Centre All CDC’s are permanently signposted by yellow or blue road signs which point to the location of the centre. Yellow and blue Civil Defence Centre signs are also usually on posts, fences or walls outside of the actual buildings. During an event, additional signage such as whiteboards or a hand painted sign will need to be used to let the community know that the CDC is operational. Thorndon’s signposted Civil Defence Centre (CDC) is located at Thorndon School, on Turnbull Street and Hobson Crescent off Hobson Street. It is agreed however that the topography of Thorndon/Pipitea is such that the area could be divided into two. It may be that another location could be more suitable, or that a secondary location also be identified and agreed as a meeting place by stakeholders. It is important to consider that if a secondary location is established resources are not spread to thinly, and one centre serves as the primary centre for decision-making, especially for the spending of funds (outlined below).
Functional Areas within a Civil Defence Centre It is recommended that CDCs are split into a public/information area, and a working/administration area. In the public area a reception should be set up to assist people on arrival and to collect and provide basic information. An information board should be set up in a suitable position. An area should be set aside for people to congregate and comfort each other. A separate quieter space should be identified to allow for the analysis of information, coordination and planning activities, and radio communications. A leader should be identified from those present at the CDC to ensure activities run smoothly and are well coordinated. This person may also be given authorisation to make some expenditure on behalf of the Local Controller.
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
Leadership in Emergencies It is important to remember that those involved in the development of this CRP may be looked to by others for leadership. Another key point to remember is that everyone is there to help, and if everyone is ‘working from the same page’ it will lead to a more efficient and coordinated response. Communication is essential. Take some time to stop, talk as a group and do the following: 1. Assess the situation: what has happened, what hazards are there. 2. Identify objectives: what are the most pressing needs to deal with right now. 3. Plan tasks: as a group, how will you deal with those needs. Once a plan has been formed, assign tasks and ensure everyone is confident with the task they have been assigned. Review your plan regularly to ensure it is still appropriate for the current situation. Effective leadership in communities is not about control and giving orders. It is about working with a group to achieve desired outcomes. Every individual within a community will have something different to offer, they will also have different views and ways of achieving goals. It is important to accept differences and work with them – as long as everyone is working in a way that is safe for themselves and others.
Information relevant for your Emergency Operations Centre A working CDC is an important link between the community and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) which will be coordinating the district-wide emergency response. The EOC will be attempting to create some situational awareness on what is happening within communities so that they can provide appropriate and timely support. Relevant information that a CDC could pass on to the EOC to help them with this would include: o The general status of streets or neighbourhoods: o Which buildings/homes have been checked and cleared and which haven’t o The location and number of people trapped or injured o The extent of house and infrastructure damage o The level of accessibility to streets or neighbourhoods
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Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
o The presence of any hazards: such as liquefaction, arcing power lines, damaged roads, buildings on fire etc. o The location and number of people needing help to evacuate o The details of the displaced and missing or people needing help with food, water and shelter
CDC’s are not Welfare Centres: CDC’s are not Welfare Centres. They are not places to go to for food, water, accommodation or medical assistance unless there is absolutely no other alternative. CDC’s may however be able to provide directions or advice on how to obtain these resources within your community. Welfare Centres are Civil Defence initiated and run facilities that require a multi-agency approach (e.g. Red Cross, Civil Defence, Salvation Army and other Government Department’s/NGO’s), and will be set-up if there is a community need, but will take a few days to be established. Because Welfare Centres are not community initiated, they are outside the scope of the CRP process, since the Plan only focuses on the community response during the first 72 hours following a disaster. During the early stages of a large disaster, the most reliable source for welfare support can be found within your home or immediate neighbourhood. Hence the need for households and neighbourhoods to get prepared!
Costs incurred during an emergency In recognition of the need to empower communities to kick-start their own response following a major event, Wellington City Council have authorised the expenditure of a maximum of $5000 inside each Community Response Plan area for food, water and sundries to support the community response (See attached MoU). The MoU applies only when an emergency is declared, or is reasonably expected to be declared, and where communications with the EOC are not possible. The spending of this money must be carefully managed and can only be done through the planning framework established within the local Civil Defence Centre in consultation with other CRP stakeholders present, and with the approval of the appointed CDC Coordinator. Ultimately, the elected member in the CDC using this delegated authority is responsible for tracking and recording all local purchases made, and as soon as communications are re-
Thorndon Community Response Plan 2014
established with the local Controller all purchases made must be reported to the Controller, and all future purchases approved through him/her.
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