Who Does What In An Emergency
Declaring an Emergency
The CDEM Act 2002 provides for a ‘state of local emergency’ to be declared and gives authority for certain people to do that (i.e. only a Mayor or an elected representative can declare a state of local emergency). Declaring a state of local emergency provides Controllers access to extra-ordinary powers to deliver an effective and timely response to an emergency. In some instances, the Minister of Civil Defence can also declare a state of local emergency if it appears to the Minister that it is required. A decision to declare a state of emergency is based on many considerations, but MUST include the following:
- a situation has or may occur within your area > the situation is an Emergency (as defined under the CDEM Act) – i.e. * an event (natural or otherwise) has occurred AND
- causes or may cause loss of life/injury/illness/ distress or in any way endanger the safety of the public or property AND * cannot be dealt with by emergency services, or otherwise requires a significant and co-ordinated response.
There is a process to follow prior to declaring a state of local emergency that supports the decision being made for the right reasons:
- an emergency as defined above has occurred or is imminent
- the Controller consults with heads of key agencies (i.e. emergency services and local authorities), the MCDEM Regional Emergency Management Advisor (REMA), the Group Controller (PDF file, 3.7 MB) (if appropriate) and any neighbouring CDEM Group controllers (if appropriate)
- the Controller considers a declaration of a state of local emergency is required and makes a recommendation to the Mayor/Chairman
- if a local state of emergency is required, the Mayor/ Chairman signs the appropriate paperwork which must be completed and gazetted.
More information can be found here: Factsheet: Declaring states of local emergency | National Emergency Management Agency (PDF file, 750 KB)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is the Government lead for emergency management. We help build a safe and resilient Aotearoa New Zealand by empowering communities before, during and after emergencies.
Emergencies can have consequences for people, communities, property, infrastructure, the economy and the environment. NEMA works with central and local government, communities, iwi, and business to make sure responses to and recoveries from emergencies are effective and integrated.
Depending on the emergency, NEMA leads or supports the response and recovery.
NEMA’s key functions are steward, operator and assurer of the emergency management system.
As steward, they provide strategic leadership for risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery activities, and build emergency management capability and capacity.
As operator, they lead or support the response to and recovery from emergencies while also supporting the operation of the emergency management system.
As assurer (a new function) they will provide assurance that the emergency management system is fit for purpose.
More information about NEMA can be found here: National Emergency Management Agency
The Manawatū-Whanganui CDEM Group works together to reduce the potential effects of hazards; promote community and Council readiness (preparedness) to respond to emergencies; and help the community to recover after an event.
Horizons facilitated the establishment of the CDEM Group in accordance with the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002.
As a member of the group their responsibilities include evaluating warning systems, implementing Civil Defence controllers' courses and operating as the Group Emergency Operation Centre. More information on the roles and responsibilities of Horizons and other agencies can be found in the CDEM Group Plan (PDF file, 110 MB).
The members of our CDEM group include:
- Horizons Regional Council;
- Our region’s city and district councils: Horowhenua, Tararua, Palmerston North, Manawatū, Rangītikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu;
- Fire and rural fire services;
- Police;
- Ambulance;
- District health boards;
- Public Health; and
- Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
The CDEM Group is supported by a Coordinating Executive Group (CEG), which meets approximately every six weeks to plan the work of the CDEM Group. This group is made up of senior staff from local authorities, emergency services and the district health board.
What makes the Manawatū-Whanganui Region so susceptible?
Geologically the region's most notable features are a series of north-south trending faults, reflecting the stresses on the earth's crust caused by the tectonic plate boundary located to the east of New Zealand. Hills and ranges across the Region have an impact on the region's climate.
