Emergencies are unexpected disasters. They can cause damage to the places we live and put our own safety at risk.
Earthquakes, fires, storms, floods, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslips, gas leaks, and chemical spills are some examples of emergencies that could happen in New Zealand.
Potential damage
Emergencies that make the ground move (like earthquakes, eruptions, and landslips) can cause damage to buildings and roads. Some emergencies (floods or tsunamis) can trap people in buildings. Other emergencies (like fires, gas leaks, or chemical spills) can make the air dangerous to breathe.
Other things that could happen are:
- power lines coming down
- water pipes bursting
- roads being blocked
- things being washed away
- windows breaking
- large objects being blown around.
Have a plan
Check out the following online resource for students and teachers on what to do in an emergency - it's in both English and te reo Māori.
Use it to sort out a plan on what you and your students should do before, during and after an emergency.
What's the Plan Stan?
Home survival plan
Your family needs to have a plan for what to do if there is an emergency, and where to find each other if you have been separated. Talk with your family about how to prepare for an emergency and the survival items you'll need: You should talk with your family about these things:
Get help in an emergency
There are a lot of groups that know what to do and are ready to help if there is an emergency.
| People who can help |
What they can do |
| Ambulances |
provide first aid
take people to hospital
|
| City Council workers |
fix broken roads and footpaths
fix broken water pipes
|
| Civil Defence |
coordinate helpers
|
| Doctors |
provide first aid
care for sick or injured people
|
| Earthquake Commission (EQC) |
help people pay for damage to their property
|
| Electricity supply companies |
fix power supplies to buildings
fix broken power lines
|
| Fire brigade |
put out fires
rescue people with ladders
supply water
pump out flooded areas
|
| Gas companies |
fix gas supplies to buildings
fix broken gas pipes
|
| Hospitals |
care for sick or injured people
|
| Insurance companies |
help people pay for damage to their property
|
| Parents |
keep you safe if you are at home
|
| Phone companies |
fix phone connections to buildings
fix broken phone lines
|
| Police |
make sure neighbourhoods are safe
find people who are missing and help their families
help with search and rescue
help people get out of buildings
|
| Radio and television |
tell people what's happening and what to do
|
| Red Cross |
provide food
provide clothing and blankets
help find missing people
|
| Salvation Army |
provide food
provide somewhere to sleep for people who have to leave their homes
|
| St John's Ambulance |
provide first aid
|
| Teachers |
keep you safe if you are at school
|
| Vets |
care for animals that are sick or injured
|