Volcanoes - Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

THE HIGHLY DISABLED LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY
With regards to the movement of people who
have disabilities, the problem was highlighted to us
during our public hearing into the development of
the Plan. A representation was tabled and discussed
to provide for those with high disability who were
living at home. A very good submission was put
forward to include those in the community who
were: totally reliant on others to feed and toilet
them; unable to move without assistance; bedridden;
and reliant on machines to keep them alive.
The presenters requested that there must be
a register set up and maintained, of people living at
home with high needs as outlined. Those reliant
on life support equipment such as ventilators are
at risk when the power is cut. Standby batteries
only have a short life (ranging from 6-8-10-12
hours) and contingencies will need to be in place for
replacement batteries once the standby batteries have
run down. A further example of the plight of those
disabled living in the community is that they have
the use of touch or voice activation mechanisms to
open doors, and activate equipment – again these
require electricity and any power cut could have
tragic consequences. As we dwell on the logistics of
shifting those living in the community with a high
level of disability we can see that it is a logistical
challenge in itself. It is our task to factor this into
any evacuation plan we have. Therefore good liaison
with community health service providers and the
Accident Compensation Corporation is essential, as
well as a regularly updated register. Privacy issues,
while respected, would need to have a commonsense
approach for the desired end result in an emergency.
EVACUATION PLANNING
Evacuation Planning must, as highlighted in the
1996 Science Report:
• Designate the lead agency that will issue the
evacuation order.
• Designate the agencies that will play supporting and
receiving roles.
• Outline the roles and responsibilities of all the
agencies involved.
• Identify the potentially dangerous zones to which
or through which the population should not be
evacuated.
• Identify the preferred evacuation routes and ways to
keep them open under eruption conditions.
• Identify assembly points for persons who require
transport for evacuation and public information
pertaining to these.
Taupo Volcanic Zone
• Consider the means of transport, traffic control,
assistance and direction.
• Identify potential shelters and accommodation in
refuge zones.
We now must make realistic plans which
will efficiently and safely convey those from danger
to staging points for relocation. There are several
strategically located Race Courses within the Bay of
Plenty and in neighbouring regions which would serve
adequately as short term accommodation and staging
points.
Let’s explore the implications. The Operations
Working Party will be tasked with developing an
Evacuation Plan, which will not only cater for volcanic
eruptions, but for the other hazards we have within the
boundaries of our region. These hazards will include
tsunami and earthquakes. Through widely involving
our networks and following the founding principles of
evacuation we will have a robust evacuation plan, which
will be flexible enough to cater for all contingencies and
give a foundation to those having to implement it.
While we are discussing the implications of a
volcanic eruption we need to discuss the location of
EOC’s (Emergency Operations Centres). In arriving at
this decision we must be mindful of the fact that in our
region we can easily be isolated and divided from within
through natural and man-made hazards following an
eruption. Therefore we must be careful not to put
all our eggs in one basket by going for a central EOC
catering for all Districts within the Region. Experience
and a need for balance suggests that EOC’s should
be strategically located within a District or shared by
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TEPHRA
June 2004