Does your family have a plan in the event of an emergency?

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is helping whānau across the District to start a kōrero and discuss what their family will do in the event of an emergency.

Council's Community Resilience Advisor, Jo Lynskey says, 'Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere, but we can all take steps now to get prepared.”

That is where Jo's new monthly community drop-in sessions can help.

'Beginning in February, we'll be hosting community drop-in sessions at Te Puke Library, and The Centre - Pātuki Manawa in Katikati.

'We want to help get the kōrero started so you and your whānau know what to do in an emergency and what you need to get through.

'It's much easier to have those conversations now, and not during an emergency when you're worried or rushed.

'It's good to think about what you and the members of your household would do if you were separated during a disaster without any means of contacting each other. Having a plan will help you work through where you will meet, who will pick up the kids from school, etc.”

Jo's planning tips for household preparedness include:

• A household emergency plan – what would you do, how would you communicate, what would you do if you have no power, no water, no internet.
• Emergency Items – do you have some of the basics to get through?
• A grab bag in case you need to move in a hurry – think about any medications, kids snacks, pets and pet food.

Templates and checklists will be available for free at the community drop-in sessions.

The drop-ins sessions are an opportunity to continue growing community resilience in the Western Bay, and for Jo, a new-comer to Council, to introduce herself to the community.

'From what I've seen, the Western Bay community has done a great job to band together and help one another when needed,” says Jo.

'I'm really looking forward to getting out and meeting more of the community.”

The first sessions are in February and will repeat on the second Thursday of each month.

• Katikati - Thursday 10 February, 10am – 12 noon at The Centre – Pātuki Manawa.
• Te Puke - Thursday 17 February, 10am – 12pm at Te Puke Library.

For more information visit our website westernbay.govt.nz/community/civil-defence