Stay safe, stay informed – in Get Ready Week, Police staff are urged to ensure they know what to do in the event of a disaster.
Reflecting on New Zealand’s volcanic, earthquake-prone, windswept nature, former Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer once observed: “If you want drama you’ve come to the right place”.
Police need to be prepared before things get dramatic so they can stay safe, keep their families safe and fulfil their unique role in the community.
“Police are the people others look to in an emergency so it’s vital that we are prepared and know what to do,” says Assistant Commissioner Sandra Venables, Chair of Police’s National Health and Safety Committee.
Preparations include:
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Familiarising yourself with emergency procedures;
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Making homes and workplaces as quake-safe as possible, with potential hazards such as cupboards, shelves and other items secured;
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Preparing grab bags for home and work, including food and water, medication and paperwork, in case you need to get out quickly;
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Preparing for an extended stay at home or at work, depending on circumstances;
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Knowing the location of first aid kits and defibrillators.
“Our role as police means many of us will be called upon to help the emergency response,” says Sandra.
“You need to prepare your family to cope without you, so have a plan about meeting points, school pick-ups, about having enough food and water and all those other details.”
Staff should be familiar with their workgroup’s business continuity plan and their manager’s expectations of them.
“After an emergency event your priority is your safety and your family’s safety,” says Sandra.
“Then contact your manager – or if you can’t do that, if you feel it is safe to do so and if you feel you can offer assistance, report to a functioning police station or Community Emergency Hub.”
Preparations extend to small but important details such as keeping mobile phones powered up and having multiple chargers in different places.
Get Ready Week is run every year by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) to coincide with the International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (13 October) and encourage people to get prepared for an emergency. This year's theme is Stay Safe, Stay Informed.
The campaign is supported by partners including Police's partners from Neighbourhood Support NZ, who have been distributing leaflets through their networks and in Bunnings stores around the country.