What's the Plan, Stan? Diary 4

Kia ora koutou,

Te rā was shining down upon us in Ōtautahi today for the final day of the field trip. I wonder how you have been using this field trip as part of your inquiry into emergency preparedness.

Final web conference

The final field trip web conference took place at my accommodation in Christchurch. Our expert, Sarah Stuart-Black from the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, joined us remotely from Wellington. St Peter’s School in Beckenham was the speaking school and the students had a range of good questions. It has certainly been a fascinating learning experience throughout all the web conferences and the informal chat sessions in the LEARNZ Adobe Connect meeting room. You can listen at any time to these – just go to Web Conferences.

Hazards app

After the web conference, we made our way to New Zealand Red Cross in Christchurch. We met Marcus Bird, who has been part of a team developing the Hazards app. 

Hazards is New Zealand based and users can read about emergency preparedness and hazards. You can also take quizzes on different hazard types. The app lets you choose to receive alerts just for the area you live in so that you can identify hazards, reduce risk, and stay informed when you need it most.

Anyone can download Hazards for free on both iOS and Android devices. Watch the Hazard app instructional video.

First aid app

Red cross has also developed a first aid app. I don’t know about you, but I have a habit of forgetting my first aid lessons! I will be downloading this app for sure because it can be used to help me further my first aid learning, and to remind me of the important steps I need to take during an emergency when someone is on need of help. Watch the two videos with Marcus for more about these apps.

Emergency volunteering

I must admit, I have never been much of a volunteer for anything. So I am always very impressed when I meet people who dedicate so much of their time for free to help others in times of need. Kaharoa Manihera is one of those people, and we caught up with him at the Christchurch City Council where he works.

Kaharoa is the Squad Leader for Civil Defence Response Team 10. He has recently been involved with helping during the Kaikoura earthquake and the Port Hills fire. It must be hugely satisfying to be able to assist the public and help them get through difficult situations resulting from natural hazards. Check out the video with Kaharoa and think about how you could get involved as a volunteer.

Emergency Operations Centre - EOC

Also at Christchurch City Council, we met with Emma Hunt. Emma is a Community Resilience Coordinator, and she spoke with us about the function of an EOC. An EOC is where different response agencies get together in one place to respond to and co-ordinate a civil emergency. In Christchurch, this has been located at the council building. Soon, however, the EOC will be moved to the new Christchurch Justice and Emergency Precinct. Here, a purpose-built EOC will be located. Hopefully next time we can show you around this new facility! 

I hope you have a better idea of the different hazards and how to prepare for them having been part of this field trip. I know the ambassadors and I do! And remember whānau, stay safe and stay informed. 

I look forward to you joining me on another field trip soon. 

Ka kite anō,

Andrew