Diary 3

Kia ora tātou,

Today’s theme was all about being prepared for a natural disaster. On the way to Waitākiri School I began thinking about the plans we have in place at home right now if an emergency happened. I’m sure that after today you too will be giving the matter some thought! 

Audioconference number two

This week’s second audioconference again took place at Waitākiri School’s River Campus, formerly known as Burwood School. This morning you were joined by Chris Duggan from the Christchurch City Council, answering questions from Christian Renewal School. It was another great session which you can listen to again at audioconference recording.

Also great was the post audioconference chat session. There was another bunch of thoughtful questions showing the high level of interest this field trip is generating.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to ShakeOut? I hope your school is registered for this event. As I said in my intro video, when the February 2011 earthquake hit Christchurch I was ready because I knew what to do. Drop Cover and Hold is the message, and it was a very clear message that Chris Duggan and his sidekick Stan gave students at Waitākiri School today.

Chris and Stan delivered their lesson during the middle block, but it was more than just what to do when the shaking from an earthquake happens. Chris worked with the students on four key ideas: learning about disasters and how to keep safe; creating and practising a household emergency plan; assembling and maintaining emergency survival items; having a getaway kit in case you have to leave in a hurry. The students were actually really clued up on disasters and what to do when they happen – I guess that’s what you get when you have been through a major one recently! Check out the videos.

Expect the unexpected

I feel that many people just don’t think a disaster will happen to them. Or if they do, the attitude is that they will sort things out when and if it happens. The thing about disasters though is that you don’t know when they are going to happen! Even after my experience in the Christchurch earthquakes, I realised after today’s lesson that I have some homework to do. I have to check batteries and food expiry dates. Plus I am going to sort a getaway kit because we only have a survival kit for staying at home. 

I say “I”, but really it is the responsibility of everyone in the family. There are many reasons I can think of to have all of the family involved in getting ready to get through a civil emergency. For example, if it is only me who makes the plan and knows where all the emergency items are, what happens when disaster strikes and I’m not at home? What other reasons can you think of?

Anyway, it’s food for thought but I wouldn’t leave it for too long. In the meantime, get ready to ShakeOut with us all tomorrow. Egbert also recommends visiting the Shakeout website http://www.shakeout.govt.nz/. Another good one to look at is http://www.getthru.govt.nz/. 

Catch you tomorrow!

Andrew