This page relates to the Waimakariri Civil Defence Unit and information on what to do in an emergency, as well as information on the Civil Defence Emergency Management Structure in the District.
What Does Civil Defence Mean?
Civil Defence is ultimately about saving lives and property from disaster. However it is more than just the moments of terror when disaster strikes. It is equally about reducing the potential for disaster and its impacts, knowing what to do when a disaster does arrive, and preparing for the aftermath of disasters.
We are all responsible for civil defence, for protecting ourselves, our families, our neighbours and our property - until other help arrives. Civil defence relies heavily on local resources and local organisations, with backing from regional and national resources as needed. There is no large full-time civil defence force standing by, so we and you need to rely on each other if we are to beat a disaster.
Civil Defence at a Local Level
Civil defence at local level is managed by the local council. Council resources, government departments, non-government organisations, community groups, trained volunteers and willing members of the public are all brought together by the Council’s civil defence staff to support the community during a disaster.
Each Council has a civil defence plan and organisation, and must appoint a civil defence Controller who takes charge during a civil defence emergency.
Civil Defence at a Regional Level
Every local council must join a Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group which is based on Regional Council and traditional provincial boundaries. Waimakariri District Council belongs to the Canterbury CDEM Group which is administered by Environment Canterbury. Canterbury CDEM Group members include all of the councils of the Canterbury region, all of the emergency services agencies, Canterbury and South Canterbury District Health Boards, lifeline utilities companies and a range of social services agencies.
Civil Defence at a National Level
The Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management (MCDEM) based in Wellington manages civil defence at a national level and represents New Zealand at international levels. MCDEM would intervene in a local or regional disaster if there is a need for national or international resources.
Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Structure
The General WDC CDEM Structure diagram (pdf,
13 kB) shows the entire Civil Defence Emergency Management structure within the Waimakariri District
and outside at Canterbury regional level and at a national level. This diagram is then broken down into three sub-diagrams relating to the General CDEM
Structure. These include: