Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Recovery Planning Workshop

Marlborough Civil Defence Emergency Management Group participates in an annual exercise designed to test preparedness and the ability to manage a major civil emergency.

In past years the exercises have been based on the response phase of a civil emergency, focusing on the main emergency services in the region. This year, the November exercise concentrated on disaster recovery and the challenges that would be faced in the medium to long term by the many welfare service providers to the community after a major event.

About 40 representatives from a range of agencies took part in a series of emergency simulation workshops and exercises at the Emergency Operations Centre in Wither Road. Exercises were aimed at testing agencies’ current capability and assisting with future recovery planning.

Experts from the Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management, and the Ministry of Social Development, the NZ Defence Force, the emergency services, Marlborough District Council, engineering lifeline utilities and local voluntary organisations were mixed into work groups to exchange ideas and experiences. The direct contact with experts from other disciplines and the chance to give feedback on findings added to the success of the day.

A Medical Officer of Health who had been seconded to Canterbury gave an excellent presentation on the public health issues faced by a community in the aftermath of a major earthquake. A presentation on public information management during an emergency underlined the importance of this critical aspect of emergency management effort.

The exercise has established good links and the information that emerged will assist in the planning of future recovery efforts within the Marlborough community in any future emergency event.