Ever wondered what Martinborough’s Emergency Response Plans are? Ever thought you’d like to help your community in an emergency? Want to make sure vulnerable groups and individuals are not forgotten in Martinborough’s emergency response planning? Live elsewhere in the Wairarapa and want to know about more about Community Emergency Hubs in the places you work, shop or play – and might get stuck in?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then come along to one of the Martinborough 2023 community resilience workshops. Co-hosted by the Martinborough Community Board (MCB), South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) and Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO), there are three different opportunities for you to find out more:
Let’s Plan Together! Emergency Planning Meeting
Wednesday 16 August, 7-9 pm
Waihinga Centre, 8 Texas Street, Martinborough
Find out about, and comment on Martinborough’s existing Emergency Response Plans. This is your chance to ask questions about Household Emergency Planning and Community Emergency Hubs -and hear WREMO’s answers. Supper will be provided, and this is a great opportunity to discuss local issues with other members of the community.
Wednesday 6 September, 7-9 pm
Waihinga Centre, 8 Texas Street, Martinborough
A free, WREMO-facilitated workshop, “Leadership in Disaster” will provide you with the knowledge and skills to help out in an emergency. Please register for this event on Eventfinda.
Community Emergency Hub Open Day and Response Practice
Saturday 30 September, 11 am -1 pm
Waihinga Centre, 8 Texas Street, Martinborough
Open Afternoon with Emergency Response Practice Scenario. This is a free event where you will get a chance to see how the community can help each other – before the next disaster.
Martinborough Community Board member Angela Brown is justifiably proud of bringing this series to Martinborough.
“Since being elected last year Martinborough Community Board members have decided that we’d like to do more than take a ‘one-event per year’ approach to fostering community resilience.”
“Each of the events we are supporting in 2023 is an opportunity for us all to come together as a community and plan for a variety of emergencies such as weather events, fires or earthquakes, making sure we are prepared for anything,”
South Wairarapa District Council’s Health, Safety & Emergency Management Advisor Nigel Carter adds that the Council is committed to supporting any events like these that assist our communities learning together and gaining confidence in how we will “get through” in an emergency.
“It is heartening to see the Community Board partner with Council and the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) to host a series of community resilience focussed events in 2023.”
“It’s very important to remember that a Community Emergency Hub is not the kit, nor the location. It’s the people in the community that come together, to look after each other. The more people that understand in advance how they can help, the stronger it will be.”
“We need people in every community who understand what a Community Emergency Hub is – and what a hub is not, who know each other and are open and welcoming to all members of the community before, during and after disasters.”
We’re all capable Emergency Managers with a role to play in the next Community Response – if we want to.
For more information, contact Angela Brown at the Martinbororough Community Board: angela.brown@swdc.govt.nz
