|
A few recent Radio NZ items show the need for local response management to emergencies. There are also several items that impact New Zealand's response to climate change - but maybe more on that next time ...
Hawke's Bay's Civil Defence group controller Ian Macdonald resigns - not exceptional in itself, but this comment highlights why we need a strong and fast local response and don't rely on being "rescued" by council or services.
'An independent review, led by former police commissioner Mike Bush, found that Civil Defence failed in its response to the cyclone.
It said as the weather event intensified, the Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Emergency Coordination Centre "lacked situational awareness and intelligence about much of the danger and damage until too late".'
'Significant shortcomings' in NZ's emergency management system - inquiry New Zealand's emergency management system has failed in places and is not fit for purpose, an inquiry into the response to last year's catastrophic North Island storms has found.
National disaster coordination system still on ice
'Documents show officials have tried multiple times to build a life-saving disaster coordination system, only to end up virtually back at square one. Almost 18 months after Cyclone Gabrielle wreaked havoc there, Hawke's Bay locals who felt ill-warned and abandoned in the face of destruction are asking what has changed.'
|
FYI - We made a submission on behalf of the group to the previous Environment Committee on Adaption to Climate Change - we were invited and made a brief oral submission (via Zoom) this week to the Government's Finance and Expenditure Committee. Thanks to John Horrocks for doing most of the work, and David Lillis for contributing.
