Civil Defence explained
Many New Zealanders are only vaguely aware of what civil defence is - yet in an emergency they will almost certainly want to know what it is. Civil defence in its simplest terms means being prepared for a disaster and is about the whole community pitching in together. However, the fact that New Zealand lies along one of the world's earthquake and volcanic activity belts means that a more formal civil defence structure is also important. This more formal structure is used when incidents occur which cannot be dealt Vtih by normal emergency services. 5ased in Wellington, the Ministry of Civil Defence has a small staff which promotes and plans procedures and co-ordinates national resources. In an emergency, they would co-ordinate national
and international communications and provide pub-
lic information via the media. Legally, every local au-
thority has a civil defence plan and appoints a person to take control in the event of a declared local emergency. A regional controller assumes charge when an emergency affects more than one district. Full time civil defence commissioners in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch provide the link between the regions and central government represented by the Ministry of Civil Defence. Volunteers include representatives from the Red Cross, St John Ambulance, community organisations, amateur radio operators, motorcycle riders, transport companies and individuals trained in Civil Defence.
Apart from this formal structure, the true basis of civil defence is community self help and mutual aid. Since April this year the AMP Society has been sponsoring a survival skills awareness project to encourage people to "help themselves". Subjects such as emergency planning, neighbourhood support, survival kits, warmth and shelter, food and water, and basic hygiene have been promoted. For in a disaster situation it is likely that people will initially have to fend for themselves - quite possibly without the conveniences we take for granted. From the AMP Civil Defence Survival Skills Project
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Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 20 October 1987, Page 17
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319Civil Defence explained Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 21, 20 October 1987, Page 17
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