What Does Civil Defence Mean?

The purpose of Civil Defence is to save lives and property in the event of a disaster. It's also about reducing the potential for disaster and knowing what to do when a disaster does occur. Civil Defence is also responsible for the recovery effort after an event has happened.

We are all responsible for protecting ourselves, our families, our neighbours and our property - until other help arrives. Civil Defence relies heavily on local resources and organisations, with backing from regional and national resources as needed. There is no large full-time Civil Defence team standing by, so we need to rely on each other if the worse does happen.

Civil Defence in the Waimakariri District

Civil Defence in the District is managed by the Council. Council resources, government departments, non-government organisations, community groups, trained volunteers and volunteers are all brought together by the Council’s Civil Defence team to support the community during a disaster.

The Council is a member of the Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group and operates under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002, which came into effect on 1 December 2002, replacing the Civil Defence Act 1983.

Civil Defence Centres

Community Emergency Hubs

In a disaster such as a big earthquake, there is likely to be widespread damage to powerlines, water pipes, buildings, roads, and phone networks. Emergency services will be dealing with the most urgent matters, so the people you live nearest to will be your most immediate and ongoing source of support.

After you have checked on your household and neighbours, you can go to your local Community Emergency Hub. It’s a place where you and your neighbours can go to support each other and work out what to do next.

Your Community Emergency Hub is opened and run by people like you, using the skills and resources that you already have – together, we can get through a disaster.

Locations of community emergency hubs:

• Cust Community Centre (Mill Road)
• Loburn School Hall (73 Hodgsons Road)
• Pegasus Community Centre (8 Tahuna Street)
• The Sterling Retirement Village - Clubhouse (1 Camellia Lane, Silverstream)
• Swannanoa School Hall (1305 Tram Road)

Each hub has a small amount of equipment including a Hub Guide, a VHF radio, stationery and maps to get you started.