Reports - Emergency Preparedness

October 2008

The purpose of this survey was to find out:

how prepared households are in the event of a disaster that cuts off basic services such as water, sewerage, gas, electricity and telephone
what role people believe Council should take in such an emergency.

Respondents: 243 completed surveys were received. Of these, over 91% were from Wellington city residents.

About the Respondents

Q. How many people live in your household?

Summary of how many people live in respondent households.

One person - 8.7%.

Two people - 35.1%.

Three people - 17.4%.

Four people - 26.4%.

More than five people - 12.4%.

Q. How many are younger than 16 years of age?

Summary of those under 16 years in respondent households.

None - 63.9%.

One - 12.0%.

Two - 17.8%.

Three - 4.6%.

Four - 1.2%.

More than five - 0.4%.

Emergency Preparedness & Scenarios

Q. How prepared is your household for a civil defence emergency?

Summary of respondents' preparedness for a civil defence emergency.

One - very prepared - 6.3%.

Two - 19.5%.

Three - 34.8%.

Four - 24.0%.

Five - not prepared at all - 15.4%.

Q. Have you considered scenarios where there is no electricity, gas, water or sewage disposal?

Summary of respondents who have considered scenarios where there is no electricity, gas, water or sewage disposal.

Yes, this has been considered and taken into account - 37.6%.

Yes, this has been considered but no specific plans have been made - 46.3%.

No, this has not been considered - 16.1%.

Q. How many litres of water has your household stored in containers for an emergency?

Summary of how many litres of water respondents have stored in case of emergency.

None - 25.7%.

One to three - 12.9%.

Four to six - 9.5%.

Seven to ten - 8.7%.

Ten or more - 43.2%.

Q. How many days of non-perishable food has your household stored for an emergency?

Summary of how many days of non-perishable food respondents have stored in case of emergency.

One - 15.4%.

Two - 20.3%.

Three - 26.6%.

Four - 10.4%.

Five or more - 27.4%.

Q. Have you considered scenarios when family members will be at work or school?

Summary of how many respondents have considered scenarios when family members will be at work or school.

Yes, this has been considered and taken into account - 28.8%.

Yes, this has been considered but no specific plans have been made - 46.2%.

No, this has not been considered - 25.0%.

Q. Have you discussed with your children what to do in an emergency?

Summary of how many respondents have discussed with their children what to do in an emergency.

Yes - 49.4%.

No - 50.6%.

Q. Do you know your children's school evacuation plans?

Summary of how many respondents know their children's school evacuation plans.

Yes - 46.7%.

No - 53.3%.

Q. If an emergency happens at work, do you know what your work evacuation plans are?

Summary of how many respondents know their workplace evacuation plans.

Yes - 69.7%.

No - 30.3%.

Q. Do you know where your nearest Civil Defence Centre is?

Summary of how many respondents know where their nearest Civil Defence Centre is.

Yes - 44.0%.

No - 56.0%.

Q. What role do you think the Council should take in a civil defence emergency?

Other roles suggested for Council included:

assisting with transport and roading
developing plans to engage local communities and educating them
ensuring all Council staff are trained in first aid
advising where the public shelters will be so people can locate their local one
awareness campaigns
providing CBD light rescue teams with radios to be able to communicate with WEMO
encouraging people to volunteer to become civil defence responders.

Q. Do you know where to find out more information from Wellington City Council on how to prepare for a civil defence emergency?

Summary of whether respondents know how to find more information from Wellington City Council on how to prepare for a civil defence emergency.

Yes - 61.0%.

No - 39.0%.

This report reflects the views of the respondents and is not representative of the Wellington population generally.

Department Details:
Citizen Engagement

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