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ABOUT

Russell Civil Defence... is made up of local unpaid volunteers.

CLICK HERE: WE NEED YOUR HELP

Things you need to know about Civil Defence

It is not a matter of will it happen.

It is a matter of when....are you ready?

What is the purpose of the Russell Civil Defence Response Group?

1. The purpose of the Russell Civil Defence Response Group (RCDRG) is firstly to identify and analyze long-term risk to human life and property in Russell and to eliminate risk if possible and or reduce the impact of likely events.

2. With likely events identified, the next step is to develop a system for coping with an emergency before it happens.

3. In an emergency, RCDRG supports local authorities... Police, Fire and Ambulance services and it responds to an emergency to save lives and property. During a Civil emergency professional services will be seriously taxed even with quality training and resources. Response for called assistance may not be immediate. This is when the RCDRG becomes involved by assisting local authorities and also by coordinating community resources that may be needed to help in the event of an emergency.

4. After an event... help the community with recovery.

5. To educate the community in the role that Civil Defence plays in a civil emergency.

Who is Russell Civil Defence?

Russell Civil Defence is made up of unpaid local volunteers under the direction of John Moolenschot. Seven people make up the Russell Civil Defence Committee. For a list of the members... Click Here Others in the community have pledged help, resources and equipment. If you can physically assist, have equipment or can offer financial support please contact a member of the Russell Civil Defence Group. For contact information...Click Here

RUSSELL

CIVIL DEFENCE

COMMUNITY RESPONSE PLAN

Version 2

1  Introduction
2  Plan purpose
3  Community overview
4  Plan area
5  Significant threats to Russell & Eastern BOI
6   Alert and Warning Systems
7   Emergency Response Guidelines
8   Declarations
9   Response Group Committee
10   Response Group Responsibilities
11   Agency and other group responsibilities
12   Plan Activation
13   Emergency Centres
14   Communication
15  Tsunami Hazard mapping

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Appendix 1 Hazard Map
Appendix 1A Tsunami Hazard Zone Map
Appendix 2 Hazards
Appendix 3 Warnings for New Zealand
Appendix 4 Plan activation process
Appendix 5 Evacuation Process
Appendix 6 Key Contacts
Appendix 7 Local Resources
Appendix 8 Welfare Centre Information

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This Emergency Plan should be reviewed and tested annually.

1 Introduction

This plan has been prepared to provide a Civil Defence Community Response Plan for Russell in the event that the community is required to respond to any civil defence emergency or take action in advance of any civil defence emergency to prevent potentially devastating effects.

When an emergency occurs, this plan will be activated by the community in response to the event.  Other agencies will respond to the event by activating their own plans and coordinating their activities with other agencies to manage the impact on the community.

This plan has been prepared with the aim of providing an effective, planned civil defence emergency response that links the community and the civil defence organisations in Northland.

In preparation of surviving a civil defence emergency the community should undertake to be personally prepared with survival kits of water, food, lighting, heating, radios, spare batteries and medical supplies (see back page of the phone book for more detail on survival information or visit www.getthru.govt.nz).

2 Plan Purpose

The purpose of this plan is to identify hazards that may impact on the Russell Community, and to provide a plan whereby the community within is able to respond and remain self reliant for at least 72 hours without any outside assistance if an emergency occurs.

Russell is situated on a peninsula and incorporates the eastern Bay of Islands communities of Okiato, Tapeka,  Jacks Bay and Rawhiti. For the purposes of this plan it also includes Roberton, Moturua, Motokiekie and Urupukapuka Islands. Russell is accessible by passenger ferry service from Paihia, vehicular ferry service from Opua as well as road links off State highway 1 at Whakapara  and State Highway 11 at Taumarere. Road access is vulnerable and is prone to slips and flooding. Ferry services run to set timetables daily, but are reliant on coastal weather and sea state conditions.Russell is a popular tourist destination and is well serviced by accommodation providers including camping grounds. The population increases during the summer months. There is a mix of permanent home owners and holiday home owners. Russell relies on one power feeder and is vulnerable during weather events. A cell phone repeater provides coverage that includes Russell and the Eastern Bay of Islands. Russell Marine Radio provides an excellent service and is supported and monitored by private charter operators. There is no reticulated potable water supplied to the community and reliance is on private domestic tanks. There is a sewerage system covering some 18 kilometres of reticulation, but there is still a reliance on septic tank disposal.There is a one primary school (Russell Primary School). A Playcentre facility is also provided in the town.Russell has Volunteer Fire Brigade with two fire appliances and a water tanker sited in a safe area. St John has a volunteer ambulance service with one ambulance stationed in the town. A police station is located on the waterfront staffed by one police officer. All three emergency services are supported by each other and are backed up by their respective agency groups when additional resources are required to be deployed. The business community consists of hotel and motel accommodation providers, craft and gift shops, restaurants and cafes, tourist providers, hardware stores and a grocery store. Bulk petrol and diesel fuel is available at the Russell Service Station and at the Russell wharf.The 2006 Census provides the following information about the community identified in this plan:

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4 Plan Area

For the purpose of this plan, the geographic area of coverage for the Russell Community Civil Defence Response Plan will be all inland and coastal areas inclusive from:

Tapeka Point to Okiato down to Rawhiti Point,

Roberton Island,

Moturua Island

Motokiekie Island

Urupukapuka Island

The boundaries set in this plan are designed to be flexible to include other residents who may associate themselves as part of the Russell Community Response Plan

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5 Significant threats to Russell and the Eastern Bay of Islands.

Hazards which pose a significant threat to Russell include:

Tsunami

Tide surge

Cyclones

Landslip

Flooding

Earthquake

Influenza pandemic

Rural Fire

A more detailed list of hazards and their effects on the community is contained in appendix 2.

Of the risks identified above which have the potential to affect Russell and the Eastern Bay of Islands, Tsunami, Tide Surge and Cyclones may have the greatest impact. 

All low lying areas within 5 kilometres of the coastline below 35 metres may be affected by a significant tsunami.  While this type of event has not happened in recent times, it can and may occur in the future.

Refer: Tsunami Hazard Zones - Appendix 1A.

6 Alert and Warning Systems

The Far North District Council is a member of the Northland Regional Council Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and receives warning of adverse natural events from Central Government, the Meteorological Service, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences and from other agencies.  See appendix 3 for a description of warnings received and disseminated in New Zealand.

Warning systems in place for Russell are as follows:

International Warnings

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) sends notification of tsunami in the Pacific Ocean area to all registered subscribers.  When a warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) is received in New Zealand it is evaluated by the Ministry of Civil Defence Emergency Management for its relevance to the New Zealand coastline.  If considered necessary the ministry will issue National Tsunami Warnings and Advisories and notify regional and local Civil Defence and Emergency Services and pre-planned warnings and evacuations will be put into effect.

National Warnings

These will be received by councils and Police/Fire/Ambulance Communication Centres and disseminated to regional and local emergency responders.  National Warnings come from the ministry and from different agencies who are contracted by the ministry (see appendix 3-warnings for New Zealand).  For example:

Protection under the CDEM Act

The CDEM Act (Section 110) provides protection from liability for Controllers local authority staff, contractors and volunteers, in a declared state of emergency. Any person performing their functions, duties or powers under the CDEM Act is protected from liability for loss or damage caused by their actions or omissions due to a state of emergency. Despite section 10, no person is exempted from liability for an act or omission that constitutes bad faith or gross negilence.

10 Response Group Responsibilities

The overall responsibility of the Russell Community Response Group is to liaise with police, emergency services and civil defence to initiate and assist in response to a civil defence emergency.

The Response Group responsibilities prior, during and after an emergency are listed below.

Prior to an emergency:

Develop a Community Response Plan

Act as a point of contact for Civil Defence in the Russell Community

Where possible communicate the plan to the greater community at every opportunity (i.e. community days, school events, community meetings…)

Meet at least annually to review the plan

Test the plan when requested and participate in joint exercises if possible.

During an emergency:

Where possible establish contact with Civil Defence at the Far North District Council

If requested activate the Community Response Plan

If contact cannot be made with either the Far North District Council or the emergency services and if required then activate (see section 12 for activation process)

Ensure that critical warning information is communicated to the community as quickly and efficiently as possible

Liaise with the emergency services if at all possible to get an overview of what is happening and what is required

Relay information back to the Far North District Council civil defence if possible about:

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The plan of action taken

SITUATION REPORTING (i.e. overview of the situation, casualties, damage, other threats…

Services and assistance required from civil defence

If required set up a emergency control centre

Establish a welfare centre if requested or if people have been evacuated or displaced from their homes

Provide assistance if required by the emergency services to help evacuate the affected community

After an emergency has occurred the main avenue for the collection of information will be from local sources and those persons identified in this plan.  The early collection of information is very important as it will assist in determining the scale of the response that is required.

After an emergency:

Assist to support any recovery efforts in the Russell Community

Hold a de-brief of the groups response to evaluate whether improvement could be made to this plan for future response.

Arrange to get the plan updated as a result of the outcome of the debrief.

The commitment of the Far North District Council is to provide the following in support of the Russell Response Group:

To maintain and ensure that early response warnings are being received by the Far North District Council

Ensure that vital information of any threat is forwarded

Provide advice and guidance to local communities developing and testing their plans

Provide opportunities for training and exercising as requested by the Russell Response Group

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11 Agency and other group responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the emergency services is clearly defined by legislation.  In the event of this plan being activated due to an emergency occurring, the roles and responsibilities of the community groups are set out as below.  However, it is intended that by agreement, it is acknowledged that these roles are intended to be flexible if required.

Police

Maintain law and order

Protect life and property

Assist the coroner

Co-ordinate movement control

Search and rescu

Fire Service

Fire fighting responsibilities

Containment of releases and spillages of hazardous substances

Urban search and rescue

Limitation of damage

Redistribution of water for specific needs

St John Ambulance

Provision of emergency medical care

Coastguard

Coordination of marine rescue

Provision of alternative communication if required via VHF and SSB

12 Plan Activation

This plan may be activated by the following: (see appendix 4)

local Incident Controller

local emergency services personnel

the Russell Community Response Group chair in consultation with either of the above if contact can be made

the Russell Community Response Group chair in isolation only if contact cannot be made with either the Local Incident Controller or local emergency personnel

There may be situations when an event has not occurred but the local community is concerned about the impact of a potential threat and this plan can be activated.  For example an impending tsunami or cyclone may cause the activation of this plan.

This plan is also designed to be activated when there is limited or no contact with the Far North District Council and it outlines the process the community will go through to work together to support themselves in an emergency.

The Russell Community Civil Defence Response Group may also be asked to activate the plan as part of a local, regional or national exercise to test its capability.

13 Emergency Centres

An incident control point or welfare centre may be established for any event if it is required.  An emergency control centre can be set up at the discretion of the Community Response Group.  The location of the centre will be determined by the impact of the disaster and it is likely that the emergency control centre will be at the same location as a welfare centre if one is to be set up.

The Community Response Group should when possible inform the Far North District Council when it is contemplating setting up a Welfare Centre.  In absence of any means to contact the Far North District Council the Response Group can set up a welfare centre to receive evacuated persons from within the Russell area.

14 Communication

Communication is the critical component of this community response plan.  People within the community must be alerted to an impending emergency or be contacted after an emergency or an event has occurred.  Communication must also be made outside the community to relay the situation and request any assistance if required.

This plan must also be communicated to the community.

Communication within and between communities

Communication typically relies on the following communication pathways:

Telephone

Cell phone

Fax

E-mail

Radio Networks

Pagers

Radio telephone

Face to face (neighbours calling on neighbours)

Camp ground information to campers (announcement/signage)

 

During emergencies there are often disruptions to these telecommunications pathways (i.e. with loss of power, cell phone towers and poor satellite coverage) and the following alternatives have been identified if traditional communication pathways have become interrupted to communicate with those outside the community:

Marine VHF radio channels. (If all mainstream communication is lost and there is an imminent threat to life, marine radio may be the community’s only option for comms.)

Fire Service Channels

Alternative communication within the community when the normal means of communication has been disrupted:

• This includes face to face contact and door knocking, whistles, alarms, loud speakers etc
• Use of private handheld radios, i.e. CB/UHF
• Marine radio once an agreed channel has been established

Communication of this plan to the community

This plan needs to be communicated to the wider community if it is to be effective and representative of the entire community.  The following have been identified as means of communicating this plan to the wider community:

Presentation at community meetings

Mail outs

Stands at community events

Notices on community notice boards

Notice or articles in community newsletters

Training exercises

15 Tsunami Mapping

Geological Nuclear Science has developed tsunami inundation maps for the Northland Coastline. These maps are based on three evacuation zones. Refer Appendix 1A

Red Zone.
The red zone is the shore exclusion zone that can be designated as off limits in the event of any expected tsunami. This represents the highest risk zone and is the first place people should evacuate from in any tsunami warning. People should expect the activation of this zone several times in their life time.

Orange Zone.
The orange zone is intended to be the area evacuated in most if not all distant and regional source of official warnings

Yellow Zone.
The yellow zone should cover all maximum credible tsunami, including the highest impact events. The intention is that the yellow zone provided for local source events based on a locally determined risk. People should evacuate this zone in natural and informal warnings from a local source event.

Note: Communities are encouraged to customise the maps with local features and display them in prominent areas. I.e.  Boat ramps and wharves.

Appendix 2 Hazards

Significant threats to Russell include but are not limited to:

Threat	Probability	Impact to Russell Community
Flooding	High	Road Access denied Caused land-slips Some areas in Russell are affected Community cut-off from outside  A safe Welfare location is the Russell Town Hall Community may have to be self-sustainable
Land Slips	High	Road access denied Damage to property or homes Community may have to be self-sustainable
Cyclones	High	Can be life-threatening Cause of panic & fear - in particular to elderly Loss of power affecting water pumps & appliances Telephones not working properly Damage to property or homes A safe Welfare location is the Russell Town Hall Community may have to be self-sustainable
Forest Fires	High	Can be life-threatening Extreme risk at peak season due to dry weather Risk increased due to arrival of visitors in the area No Fire Service, equipment or resources at hand Road Access could be denied Damage to property or homes A safe Welfare Centre location is the Russell Town Hall Community may have to be self-sustainable
Tidal Surges	Medium	Becoming more frequent Cause of flooding in some areas Road access could be denied Coastal erosion - foreshore damage Damage to property or homes
Tsunami	Low	Definitely life-threatening Total evacuation of residents & visitors necessary Head for higher ground The best route out of the threatened sectors is via Pitt and Robertson, Cass and Chapel Streets and Long Beach Road.  Safe areas are Queens View Rd, Oneroa Rd and Gould Street A safe Welfare Centre location has been identified as the Eagles Nest Resort Evacuees have to be self-sustainable
Earthquake	Low	Can be life-threatening Damage to property or homes Could cause tsunami Road access could be denied Community may have to be self-sustainable
Influenza Pandemic	Low	Can be life threatening Community may have to be self sustainable Cause of fear – particularly to elderly Services may not operate to normal capacity

Appendix 3 Warnings for New Zealand

The following table outlines risks and the monitoring agency responsible for issuing warnings:

Particular Risk or Hazard	Monitoring Agency	Comment
Severe Weather Outlook Watch or Warnings Storms Cyclones Flooding Wind	Meteorological Service of New Zealand (Met Service). www.metconnect.co.nz	National Weather Services (NWS), A division of the Met Service collects and analyses meteorological data from around New Zealand and the world, from which the many different types of weather forecasts are made.  The NWS is responsible for the safeguarding of New Zealand lives and property through the issuing of Severe Weather Watches and Warnings.
Tsunami	Ministry of: Civil Defence Emergency Management from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.	Monitored by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and reported to MCDEM. Within New Zealand MCDEM are responsible for the issue of any Tsunami Warning.
Earthquake	Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences	Monitored by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences who are responsible for alert bulletins issued to MCDEM and CDEM Groups.
Volcanic Eruption	Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences	Monitored by the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences who are responsible for alert bulletins issued to MCDEM and CDEM Groups.
Public Health Warnings	Ministry of Health and District Health Boards	Develop and disseminate alerts and warnings to CDEM Groups and the general public.
Flood Warnings for major rivers	Northland Regional Council	Develop and disseminate river flood warnings to the public, emergency responders and pre-arranged landowners.
Wildfire	Northland Rural Fire Authority	Adverse weather conditions likely to increase the possibility of wildfire are monitored by the rural fire authority, which will institute appropriate fire bans and if necessary disseminate warnings.
Animal Disease Outbreaks	Ministry of: Agriculture and Forestry	Dissemination alerts and warnings to CDEM Groups and public.

 

Appendix Plan activation process

The Russell Civil Defence Response Group is responsible for the activation of this plan in the lead up to an event that is known to be likely to occur due to advance warning, or as a result of a sudden event.  The community may also be asked to activate the plan as part of a local, regional or national exercise to test its capability.

INITIAL ACTIONS

When a Response Group Member receives advanced warning of an event from Civil Defence or the responsible agency then:

DO THIS

Notify the Police, Fire Service, St John and other Response Group members that you have received a warning from Civil Defence and arrange to meet at a nominated safe location. E.g. Police Station / Fire Station / Russell Top Ten Motorcamp

Police	Mike Gorrie	403 9090 /
Fire	Jake Miller James MacInnes	403 7806 / 027 4508 967 403 7806 / 027 496 2256
St John	Bridget Hughes	403 7795
Response Group Members	John Moolenschot Wayne Price Mal Browning Di Tito-Salive Peter Hughes Mark Richards	403 7790 / 403 7640 / 021 372 912 403 7616 / 0276 403 028 / 021 33 55 21 403 7355 / 0274 037 050 403 7831 /  021 238 7792 403 7795 / 021 403 779 403 8225 / 021 0252 9974

Once members of the above group receive advice of the event and are assembled, they should:

DO THIS

Confirm all other members of the response group have been notified

Once assembled, take the lead from Police and Fire if present and act on their instructions.

If Police and Fire are notpresent: brief everyone on the warning that has been received and current situation

Liaise to determine what actions should be taken

Consider who will be affected and where and if you need to disseminate public warnings

Consider if a warning needs to be disseminated to the Eastern Bay of Islands communities and Outer Islands.

Establish an Incident Control Point if required

Consider initial actions for the establishment of a Welfare Centre if required

Notify the Civil Defence Controller with actions taken by phoning the Far North District Council 0800 920 029

Where an unexpected sudden event occurs:

REMEMBER

The person in charge of the lead agency should activate this plan if required or if at all possible.

Appendix 5 Evacuation Process

Evacuation Priorities

Civil Defence warnings available to this area are by the following methods

Warnings via radio

PA systems on emergency services vehicles

Text for subscribers to OPTN network

Local procedures

If this happens

Do this:

Listen to your local radio station and follow instructions (More FM will transmit Civil Defence information in northland)

Refer to the back of your telephone book as a guide on what to do

Activate your pre-determined telephone tree to warn others

Prepare to activate your household emergency plan

If you required to EVACUATE

Do this:

Tsunami Warning

Warn people in or near the water to move off the beach immediately

Activate community phone tree and alert residents on all low lying areas in the applicable inundation zones first

Prepare to move to ground higher than 35 metres above sea level Queens View Rd, Gould St, Oneroa Rd are identified as safe areas with Eagles Nest Resort identified as a Safe Shelter

Persons on the outer Islands should be advised to move to high ground

Take a cell phone, radio and any essential items with you

For all other emergencies

Assemble with your emergency survival kit as directed in order of priority to:

Russell Town Hall

Masonic Lodge Hall

THE CIVIL DEFENCE CONTROLLER HAS ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY OVER ALL PERSONNEL.

All instructions given by
the Emergency Services and the Police must be followed without exception.

Click Here for: Civil Defence Contacts

Click here for: Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Planning

 

 

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