Waimakariri Civil Defence

Learn about the Waimakariri Civil Defence Unit and information, 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. It is also 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 in the Waimakariri District

Civil defence in the district is managed by the 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.

The Council is a member of the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group. The Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 came into effect on 1 December 2002, replacing the Civil Defence Act 1983.

Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Structure

The General WDC CDEM structure diagram (pdf, 12.8 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:

Get Ready

Visit the Get Ready website operated by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.