Civil Defence

CIVIL DEFENCE

CIVIL DEFENCE in Arthur's Pass rests on the individual and collective preparedness of the local community prior to a natural disaster. We are unlikely to receive comprehensive outside help within two weeks in a major disaster. This page will soon contain information on where to go and who to seek for help in an local emergency, plus a printable version of the lists below.

What you need, to be prepared...

FOOD AND WATER -ENOUGH FOR AT LEAST 14 DAYS. Check and renew the food and water every 12 months.

Non-perishable food (canned or dried)

A can opener

A primus or gas BBQ to cook on (plus fuel)

Bottled drinking water (3 litres per person per day minimum) OR

Treat water by bringing it to a rolling boil (it is NOT nessesary to boil water for 3 minutes) OR

Treat water with chlorine or iodine (See table at bottom of page)

EMERGENCY ITEMS. Check the batteries every three months.

First Aid Kit and essential medicines
Toilet paper, large rubbish bags and shovel for your emergency toilet
Pet supplies
Waterproof torches and spare batteries (candles provide little light and are a serious fire risk, consider getting a gas or battery lantern instead)
Short wave radio and spare batteries
Face and dust masks

SUPPLIES FOR BABIES AND SMALL CHILDREN

Food, formula and drink
Change of clothing
Favourite toy or activity

EMERGENCY CLOTHING. Put all items, especially blankets and clothing, into 10 litre plastic buckets with a sealed lid (these can double as water carriers).

Wind and rain proof clothing
Warm insulating layers of wool, fleece or polypropylene (including hat)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Strong shoes/boots for outdoors

Develop a HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCY PLAN which includes:

GETTHRU civil defence plan work sheet (pdf)

Where to shelter in an earthquake, flood or storm
Who is responsible for checking essential items in your Emergency Survival Kit
How to turn off gas, water and electricity at the mains
How to maintain contact with each other during an emergency
How to contact your local civil defence organisation for assistance during an emergency

YOUR GETAWAY KIT. Everyone should have a small bag for a Getaway Kit, ready for evacuation. Most of the items are part of your Emergency Survival Kit. Other items include:

Birth/marriage certificates
Drivers’ licences/passports
Family photos
Insurance policies
Towels/soap
Toothbrushes
Sanitary items
Glasses (if required)
Hearing and mobility aids

BUSINESSES. Businesses should also consider:

Business documents (in GETAWAY KIT)
Insurance for property and loss of earnings
Generator for powering freezers etc
Sufficient resources to assist staff if they become trapped at their place of work
Sufficient resources to assist clints if they become trapped on your premises

CHLORINE METHODS for water purification (from www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html)

Chlorine Bleach: When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used. Common household bleach contains a chlorine compound that will disinfect water. The procedure to be followed is usually written on the label. When the necessary procedure is not given, find the percentage of available chlorine on the label and use the information in the following tabulation as a guide.

Chlorine Strength	Drops per litre of Clear Water
1%	10
4-6%	2
7-10%	1

(If strength is unknown, add ten drops per quart of water. Double amount of chlorine for cloudy or colored water or water that is extremely cold.)

The treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand, preferably covered, for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor; if not, repeat the dosage and allow the water to stand for an additional 15 minutes. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more pleasing by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.

Arthur's Pass Rescue - Home Page www.apres.org.nz