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New system for emergenciesWairarapa Times-Age By Sarah Hardie
The three Wairarapa councils have combined their Civil Defence services into two full-time staff based at the new Wairarapa Civil Defence Emergency Management Office. The three Wairarapa councils are working on plans to implement Civil Defence centres in Martinborough, Featherston, Greytown and Carterton. Masterton District Council emergency management officer Paul Walker said the centres would be run by volunteers during major events, providing the four basics - food, clothing, transport and accommodation. "The centres will run around the clock, so they will need about 10 volunteers each. They will provide a welfare service for people, helping people who are displaced and connecting them with the things they need - it's important that the people are looked after. He said volunteers would be trained to encourage neighbourhood support, a procedure inspired by the Civil Defence response after the Canterbury earthquakes. "A lot of the messages coming from Civil Defence down there were to talk to your neighbours, just the ones on either side of you, to make sure they're OK and see if they need any help." During "peace time", Civil Defence will based at the Masterton District Council, where one staff member will be responsible for planning, administration and developing operating procedures, and the second staff member will be responsible for publicity, education and training volunteers. The South Wairarapa District Council is looking for volunteers who will be trained in a range of roles. Those who would like to volunteer can contact the council on (06) 306 9611.
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