Preparedness the focus for Waikato's Get Ready, Get Thru Expo

Preparation for an emergency evacuation will be the message local Civil Defence staff give to visitors to the New Waikato Show at Claudelands this weekend.

Paul Blewman, Waikato Valley Emergency Operating Area Manager, says it’s vital households have survival kits organised, and visitors to Waikato’s Get Ready, Get Thru Expo this weekend can learn more about what they need.

“A Civil Defence emergency could happen at any time, and if one occurs residents may need to evacuate their homes immediately. Having a survival kit can speed up those evacuations, and in an emergency situation, every minute is precious,” Mr Blewman says.

As part of Civil Defence’s presence at the New Waikato Show, staff will be advising members of the public on how to prepare their survival kits. Mr Blewman says visitors can win complete survival kits from the Waikato’s Get Ready, Get Thru Expo, as well as 20-litre water containers, emergency barbecues, torches and drink bottles.

The Stanville Disaster House will also be part of Waikato’s Get Ready, Get Thru Expo. The house has been designed to look as if it has been in an area hit by an earthquake, and gives visitors an idea of the damage an earthquake can do. New Zealand Police, the Fire Service, St John Ambulance and Neighbourhood Support will also be represented at Waikato’s Get Ready, Get Thru Expo.

“We are very keen to use this event to engage the public on civil defence and emergency issues. We don’t want people to be scared, we want them to be prepared,” Mr Blewman says.

The New Waikato Show and Waikato’s Get Ready, Get Thru Expo will be held at Claudelands from 27 April to 29 April.